JUST meeting 35 · 2026-06-15 — Committee Evidence — LegisWatch

Summary

This House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights met to study Bill C-238, an Act to amend the Criminal Code regarding restitution orders. Appearing as witnesses were Cristina Scarpellini, Founder of Angels of Hope Against Human Trafficking, and Evie Ali, Executive Director of The Go-Give Project.

Cristina Scarpellini testified that human trafficking creates lasting social and economic costs borne by survivors, families, communities, and frontline organizations, and that Bill C-238 strengthens accountability by requiring those who cause harm to contribute to recovery costs. She stated that survivors often do not feel they receive justice and that traffickers should be required to contribute to recovery, noting that healing is a long and non-linear process that can take years. She did not make a specific ask regarding amendments to the bill.

Evie Ali testified that her organization sees daily the impacts of crime on marginalized individuals, for whom even small financial losses can be devastating, and that any measure improving awareness and accessibility of restitution is a positive step. She emphasized that victims should not have to navigate complex legal processes while in trauma, and that Bill C-238 acknowledges that frontline organizations absorb costs related to crimes. She did not make a specific ask regarding amendments, but encouraged members to consider the practical realities faced by marginalized victims.

Following the witnesses’ testimony, the committee engaged in a procedural debate on a motion moved by Mr. Brock to consider Bill S-233, which would create a new Criminal Code offence for assault against health service providers and first responders. Mr. Brock argued the bill had unanimous House support and should be dealt with before the end of the session, and read extensively from reports on violence against health workers. The parliamentary secretary, Ms. Lattanzio, stated the government had been clear it would proceed with Bill C-238 as scheduled and that the door for discussion on scheduling remained open. After debate, the committee adjourned without concluding the motion or proceeding to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-238.

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Witnesses · 2

Cristina Scarpellini

Founder, Angels of Hope Against Human Trafficking

Opening remarks

Chair and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. My name is Cristina Scarpellini, and I am the founder and executive director of Angels of Hope Against Human Trafficking, a registered Canadian charity that provides long-term, trauma-informed support to survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, as well as to individuals who are at risk of exploitation. Since founding Angels of Hope in 2015, I have had the privilege of walking alongside survivors as they rebuild their lives after experiencing some of the most devastating forms of abuse imaginable. Through this work, I have witnessed both the profound harm caused by human trafficking and the remarkable resilience of survivors who refuse to let their exploitation define them. Angels of Hope serves survivors of all ages, genders and backgrounds across Ontario. We provide free, bilingual services in a safe, supportive and trauma-informed environment. Our approach is survivor-centred and rooted in harm reduction, recognizing that healing is not a linear process and that recovery takes time, trust and long-term support. To date, Angels of Hope has provided long-term support…

Full testimony ↗

Evie Ali

Executive Director, The Go-Give Project

Opening remarks

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Evie Ali, and I am the co-founder and executive director of the Go-Give Project in greater Sudbury. The Go-Give Project began as a small grassroots organization, and we have grown into a municipally funded charitable organization. Our work is rooted in an emergency response framework and operates at the intersection of addiction, homelessness, poverty, mental health and crisis response. Our staff provide outreach services, a drop-in centre, overdose response, resource navigation, crisis intervention and de-escalation. Our ongoing support to our community's most vulnerable individuals allows us to see first-hand the profound impacts of victimization. Through the work, we witness the profound impacts violence and financial instability have, and usually on those who are the least equipped to navigate complex systems. While our organization is not a legal service provider, we see every day the impacts that crime and victimization have on individuals. Many of the people we support have experienced theft, assault, fraud, exploitation, intimate partner violence and property damage. For those already living in poverty or instability, even the…

Justice and Human Rights

Summary

Witnesses · 2

Bills mentioned