Veteran social-conservative prepares to leave federal politics
“I will continue to support survivors and help the victims of human trafficking…”
OTTAWA, ON—After a decade in federal politics, veteran Member of Parliament Joy Smith (Kildonan-St. Paul) has announced she will not seek re-election this fall.
After making history as the only Canadian parliamentarian to have two Private Members’ Bills modifying the Criminal Code attain Royal Assent, Smith, a committed Christian, says God is calling her to serve in another way.
“On December 6, 2014, when Bill C-36 [Canada’s new prostitution legislation] became law, I started re-examining everything,” says Smith. “I feel I could win my riding very easily because my polls are very high, but that’s not the reason to go to Parliament. The reason to go to Parliament is to follow through in what God shows you needs to be done, so I have peace about not running anymore.”
Smith contributed significantly to the new prostitution legislation and remains among the most vocal advocates for the victims of human trafficking. During her time in office, Smith also wrote the prototype for what became Canada’s National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking and had two Private Members’ Bills receive Royal Assent, implementing mandatory minimum sentences for traffickers of minors and allowing Canada to prosecute citizens and permanent residents who engage in human trafficking on foreign soil.
“I think the gap that exists [in protecting sexual exploitation victims] in Canada right now is the operational side. The story needs to get out that this is happening in Canada,” she says. “As much as I love my job and the people around me, I had to make the hard decision to move on. I will continue to support the survivors and help the victims, but I feel I’m called to do this in a different way.”
After the October 2015 election, Smith plans to devote her time to building The Joy Smith Foundation, which supports victims of human trafficking, but also raises awareness of how families can recognize the signs and protect themselves against human traffickers.
Smith says although Canada is facing a number of significant regional and global issues with profound implications for Christians, she is not worried.
“I always go back to the verse, ‘we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us,’” she says. “There are many challenges in the country, but we always have to remember that God is in control. Sometimes we forget that when we become Christians we have a gift called the Holy Spirit. God is the one who shows us the way.”
Smith sees the Church rising to take its place with greater maturity. She believes this process will continue through the coming years in several emerging areas of national concern.
“I think terrorism, healthcare and trafficking have profoundly touched the Christian community. The mood changed the day the [gunman] came to Parliament Hill. It changed so that we realized that we are vulnerable to everything that is happening in the world; we aren’t the island that we thought we were.”
Smith says Canadians are also starting to realize that pandemics could happen in Canada. As Ebola swept West Africa and landed in North America, she says it was largely the Church that was willing to go into affected areas and challenged fellow Westerners to take action.
She says it’s a similar story with human trafficking, where the Church is the primary voice demanding an end to “modern-day slavery” and standing up for victims of trafficking.
“I see Christians rising up like a wave against this horrible thing. What you see is a lot of people who believe that prostitution is an industry and it’s what women want to do, but the Christian community is absolutely revolting against that. Some Christians used to think these were bad girls who needed to be taught a lesson. Now their hearts are softening to see them as victims of a heinous crime who need help to rebuild their lives.”
As she prepares to transition out of politics, Smith is asking Canadian believers to continue praying for her work, for trafficking survivors and police officers and for God to end human trafficking in Canada.
She also challenges Christians not to worry about the difficulties facing the nation.
“We, in and of ourselves, cannot overcome them. In politics, it’s easy to become caught up in the importance of Parliament Hill, but Parliament is only a building. There are many people who make a huge difference by listening to the Holy Spirit and following God’s call.”
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