A big thank you from Jessie´s mom Glendene

My friends, I have received yesterday an email from Jessie Foster´s mom Glendene.

Here it is the email:

The 1st Annual Walk-With-Me "Glendene and Jessie Award" Ceremony in Toronto on April 15, 2010.

"Well, it is happening for sure. After trying to raise enough money for the flight and room to go to Toronto this week for the 1st Annual Walk-With-Me "Glendene and Jessie Award" Ceremony, by myself did not work in time (we have a fundraiser planned at The Comedy Factory in Edmonton on April 24th, but the ceremony is April 15th), I turned to Hayley Cooper from Radio NL.

Hayley has interviewed me several times and she was so supportive about me going to the ceremony plus she set it up for Timea Nagy from Walk-With-Me to be interviewed by NL regarding her being a human trafficking survivor; her organization she founded; and the 1st Annual "Glendene and Jessie Award" Ceremony to honour those who work tirelessly bringing awareness to the crime of human trafficking, and helping the victims... the survivors of this horrific crime - the Police Officers, Social Workers and Media.

Now Hayley has helped me get WestJet flight tickets at a good price: 2 nights at the Sandman Signature Hotel near the Toronto Airport; and a dinner gift certificate from Moxies Restaurant in the hotel. I do not know if this would be happening if not for her. We worked very hard in the past few days - and now it´s a reality.

Thank you Hayley and Louis from Radio NL; thank you WestJet; thank you Toronto Sandman Signature Hotels & Resorts and specifically Kevin White from Sandman Hotel Group-Kamloops; thank you Moxies; thank you Danny; and thank you Michael. Thank you to each of you, from the bottom of my heart. You all know exactly what you have done to help me and I appreciate it.

Also, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to my friends and Jessie supporters who have sent in a donation to ensure I get to attend the things that have been coming up - without the support of each and everyone of you I would still be where I was on March 29, 2006, the day Jessie went missing, over 4 years ago - wondering what to do; where to turn and how to handle this. All the support I get from you all has givem ne the strength to keep going. Time does not heal wounds so you can keep going, like my friend Lillie says - you learn coping skills that allows you to keep going during the toughest time of your life.

It is important to Jessie´s case that I do what I have been doing and go where I have been going. It needs to get and keep the attention of the media and people who support our search for my missing daughter. I have received envelopes with donations of $5 and $10 bills and money orders from here is Canada; from the USA; from England; and from Portugal - it adds up, and if people continue to support our search, it will allow us to hire other investigators and to keep raising the reward.

People are buying raffle tickets for the beautiful painting FLOWERS OF HOPE )picture below), donated to us by JB, a wonderful friend and Jessie supporter and the mother of a missing woman who was found deceased months later.

Between everyone and all they are doing, I got to go to Vancouver for Canada AM on March 29, 2010 and will be going to Toronto for the "Glendene and Jessie Award" on Thursday, April 15, 2010 (leaving tomorrow, Wednesday and coming home Friday).

Again, thank you all for your continued love and support for the search for my missing daughter, JESSIE FOSTER. Jessie´s mom Glendene Grant.

http://www.jessiefoster.ca/

"Flowers of Hope" by JB
Raffle draw to be held on Jessie´s
26 birthday, May 27, 2010.

Tickets: $10 each or 3 for $25.

Contact Jessie´s mom Glendene for more information & for tickets.
glendene@shaw.ca

or

(250) 374-6137
THANK YOU!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My friends, to see "FLOWERS OF HOPE" by JB,
please, write at google this: flowers of hope by JB Jessie Foster, then you will seer this: 1st Annual "WALK-WITH-ME" (Glendene and Jessie Award" Ceremony... - [Traduzir esta página]
13 Apr 2010 ... It is important to Jessie´s case that I do what I have been ... and support for the search for my missing daughter, JESSIE FOSTER. Jessie´s mom Glendene Grant. "Flowers of Hope" by JB. Raffle draw to be held on Jessie´s ...
dedekeene.posterous.com/1st-annual-walk-with-me-glendene-and-jessie-a - Em cache

(please click at: 1st Annual "WALK-WITH-ME" (Glendene and Jessie Award" Ceremony ... )
once you´re inside, you will at the bottom of the page this:
"Flowers of Hope" by JB
Raffle draw to be held on Jessie´s
26th birthday, May 27, 2010.
TICKETS: $10 each or 3 for $25
Contact Jessie´s mom Glendene for
more information & for tickets.
glendene@shaw.ca

or

(250) 374-6137
THANK YOU!

That poor girl.
So far from home.

Good news at Jessie Foster´s case:

My friends, I have received today an email from Jessie´s mom Glendene, here it is the email:

"The producer of the NBC TV show Disappeared contacted me today!!!

I have waited until I heard for sure, but I got an email from Jim Cozza, Producer of Disappeared on NBC Peacock Productions about doing a show on Jessie. He needed to secure participation from primary law enforcement involved in Jessie´s case and got it today from Det. Molnar (I knew they would get approval, because the N LV PD has co-operated with America´s Most Wanted twice and with E! Entertainment for their documentary Young, Beautiful & Vanished which featured several cases, including Jessie´s amomg several other media outlets).

This was Mr. Cozza´s last message to me today: Thanks for getting back to me, Glendene. Look forward to talking with you tomorrow. Jim

This will really help spread the word about Jessie even farther. I will let everyone know when I have more info (maybe tomorrow).

Also: Radio NL aired a interview with Hayley Cooper and myself today about the Walk-With-Me ceremony getting me in touch with MP Joy Smith who invited me to our Nation´s Capital to speak at her Committee Meeting about how human trafficking has touched my life. Jeremy from Kamloops This Week heard it and called me for an interview, there will be an article in Friday´s paper.

And I just want to say, the name Jim, or James, is very important to me. My dad is Jim, my brother is Jimbo (well, Jimmie to me), my hubby is Jim, my grandson is JJ (the 2nd J is for James) plus I have many nephews with James for their middle name - and of course, lots of friends names Jim!

Thank you all, Jessie´s mom, Glendene."

My friends, please help about this request from Jesie Foster´s mom Glendene:

"Please, all the people in the media who have been following and writing about Jessie´s case, please help me keep Jessie´s case in the minds of all and do an article about Jessie for her birthday. This year, 4 years into her disappearance, so much has happened - forensic artist Diana Trepkov´s drawings; the human trafficking organization naming their award after us - THE GLENDENE & JESSIE FOSTER AWARD, given to those who work with trafficking survivors - going over and above their "call of duty" in their jobs. Three books coming out this year... there is so much that people have not been told about yet, and I know that there are thousands of people who are very interested in Jessie´s case, because they know, there, but for the GRACE OF GOD, go I (or my daughter, son, grandchild...) Jessie is loved by so many people - I get messages daily, sometimes hourly... still, over 4 years later, telling me how much Jessie´s case has touched them".

Jessie´s birthday day: May 27th 2010 (26th birthday).

Sincerely, Jessie Foster´s mom, Glendene Grant.

Please, check it out our website below:

http://jwww.jessiefoster.ca/

Pedro, the link doesn't open?

.

Ahhhh that might help.lol Thanks Alex.

My friend, here it is the link: http://www.jessiefoster.ca/

Thank you Alex.

Bill C-268 at final stage in Senate



MESSAGE I JUST RECEIVED FROM CANADIAN MP JOY SMITH regarding her Bill C-268: On June 2, 2010, the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, completed their review of Bill C-268 and passed it without amendment. This is the last stage before Bill C-268 becomes law. HOW AWESOME!! Please forward . . . Glendene.



Subject: Bill C-268 at final stage in Senate



Good Afternoon,



I have exciting news about Bill C-268.



Bill C-268

On June 2, 2010, the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, completed their review of Bill C-268 and passed it without amendment. The Committee heard from a number of witnesses. Transcripts and videos will be available on my website shortly.

Yesterday, Bill C-268 was reported back to the Senate for Third Reading. This is the last stage before Bill C-268 becomes law. It is my hope that we can see Bill C-268 receive Royal Assent before Parliament rises for the summer.

If you would like to make your voice heard to Senators and asked them to pass Bill C-268 at Third Reading as soon as possible, please use the attached list of Senators’ emails.



Invisible Chains

I would also like to thank UBC Law Professor Benjamin Perrin for his excellent presentation to the Senate Committee on the urgency of Bill C-268. Some of the important evidence he presented came from from three years of research that he has undertaken on human trafficking across Canada.

If you are interested in learning more about his research, he has compiled it into a book called Invisible Chains: Canada's Underground World of Human Trafficking. The book will be released in October but can be pre-ordered today on Amazon.ca - [size=9]

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/067006453X?ie=UTF8&tag=invischain-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=067006453X

[/size]


CPAC

This past spring, CPAC covered a few human trafficking events that I organized. The show On The Bright Side, covered the Global Advocacy Days in March and the Winnipeg Human Trafficking Walk in May. The episode airing those events should be airing shortly and will be available to watch online.

Also, the show Beyond Politics interviewed me about my life before politics. This show aired last Sunday and will air again this evening on CPAC at 10:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM PT. You can also view it online at anytime at - http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&lang=e&clipID=4066

I wish everyone a wonderful weekend and look forward to updating you with the news that Bill C-268 has become law.



Sincerely,

Joy Smith, MP

Kildonan – St. Paul



Please feel free to forward this to anyone you think might be interested.
If you have received this from a friend and would like to sign up to regularly receive MP Joy Smith’s Human Trafficking Updates
or, if you would like to unsubscribe to MP Joy Smith’s Human Trafficking Updates,
or, if you have questions or comments, please email [size=9]smithj8@parl.gc.ca[/size] or call (613) 992-7148.

My friends, please see and spread, thank you.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_thompson_nicola/kamloopsthisweek/news/96406219.html

Bill C-268 Passed - Child Trafficking Bill Overcomes Final Hurdle to Become Law‏




.ExternalClass .ecxEmailQuote
{margin-left:1pt;padding-left:4pt;border-left:#800000 2px solid;}


WE HAVE A NEW LAW IN CANADA - now those convicted of trafficking of a minor in Canada has an actual mandatory minimum sentence to serve. Thank you MP Joy Smith and all who rallied behind her. Sincerely, mother of a trafficked adult, Jessie Foster, Glendene Grant.



Dear friends,

It is with great joy that I inform you that Bill C-268 has finally passed the Senate of Canada!

I am so pleased that our country now has a law that assures significant penalties for those who traffic children. No longer will traffickers walk out of jail a week after being convicted.

I want to take a moment to thank you for the amazing support you have shown over the past year and a half. Tens of thousands of Canadians have voiced their support for Bill C-268 through petitions, emails, letters and phone calls. Your voice was heard!

My hope is that Bill C-268 is a tipping point for much more action on human trafficking. There is much to be done and I plan to continue to advocate for a National Action Plan to combat human trafficking.

We need to ensure that there are effective prevention initiatives in place and partnerships formed between federal and provincial governments to provide much needed protection and rehabilitation for victims.

I am sure you will join me in the next steps necessary to rid Canada of modern day slavery.

Again thank you for your support during this long journey. We are making a difference!

Sincerely,

Joy Smith, MP
Kildonan – St. Paul




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2010

News Release

Child Trafficking Bill Overcomes Final Hurdle to Become Law

Ottawa, ON: Today, the Senate of Canada adopted at Third Reading Bill C-268, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (minimum sentence for offences involving trafficking of persons under the age of eighteen years). The legislation will now be sent to the Governor General of Canada for Royal Assent.

Bill C-268 will amend Canada’s Criminal Code to introduce a new human trafficking offence specifically addressing child traffickers. The new law will provide a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment for anyone convicted of trafficking a minor in Canada and a minimum of six years imprisonment for cases with aggravating factors.

Introduced on January 29, 2009, by Joy Smith, Member of Parliament for Kildonan – St. Paul, Bill C-268 has attracted broad national support. On September 30, 2009, Bill C-268 was adopted by the House of Commons with the bi-partisan support of Conservative and Liberal MPs and most NDP MPs. On October 1, 2009, Bill C-268 was first introduced into the Senate and was sponsored by Senator Yonah Martin.

“The strong support for Bill C-268 reveals a clear indication that the majority of Parliamentarians understand the necessity of ensuring the traffickers of minors receive sentences that reflect the severity of this grave offence,” said MP Joy Smith. “Traffickers need to know that Canada will not accept the exploitation and sale of our children and any attempts to do so will be met with stiff consequences.”

Bill C-268 is the first and only Private Members’ Bill to be passed by Parliament since the last election in 2008. The passing of Bill C-268 is even more significant since it amends the Criminal Code. Prior to this legislation, only 14 Private Members’ Bills containing Criminal Code amendments have been adopted by the Canadian Parliament since Confederation.

Since introducing Bill C-268, Mrs. Smith has presented petitions containing tens of thousands of signatures from Canadians who demanded that the penalties to child traffickers fully reflect the gravity of the crime. Many organizations have also lent their support for this legislation, representing stakeholders such as law enforcement, victim’s services, NGO’s, and First Nations representatives.

The demand for Bill C-268 arose from a number of human trafficking convictions involving minors where the offender received insignificant sentences. For example, Michael Lennox Mark was convicted on November 10, 2008, for selling a 17- year-old girl for sex. He received a two- year sentence but only spent a week in jail following after his conviction due to the credit of pre-trial custody.

The international community has also recognized this concern and in October 2008, the Report of the Canada-U.S. Consultation in Preparation for the World Congress III Against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents recommended that Canada enact a mandatory minimum penalty for child trafficking. Last year, the 2009 U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report also noted the difficulties reported by Canadian law enforcement with securing adequate punishments against offenders.

MP Joy Smith has been recognized as a leading expert and speaker on the issue and is working at the national and international level to end human trafficking. Since being elected, MP Joy Smith has advocated for a national action plan to be implemented to combat human trafficking in Canada. In 2007, MP Smith saw her motion M-153, which urged the development of a comprehensive national plan, unanimously passed by the Parliament of Canada.

“Bill C-268 is an important step forward in addressing human trafficking here in Canada,” states MP Joy Smith. “However, Canada also needs a comprehensive national action plan to combat human trafficking that addresses the multifaceted aspects of this crime. We need to have a federal strategy in coordination with provincial and territorial governments that focuses on prevention initiatives, greater protection and rehabilitation for the victims, and partnerships with frontline organizations.”

For more information on Bill C-268, please visit:

http://www.joysmith.ca/main.asp?fxoid=FXMenu,7&cat_ID=27&sub_ID=96.

Backgrounder on Private Members’ Bills & Bill C-268



Hundreds of Private Members’ Bills (PMBs) are introduced in every session of Parliament but very few rarely adopted by the House of Commons and even less receive passage in the Senate.



For example, 355 PMBs have been introduced in during the 40^th Parliament.


Bill C-268 is the first Private Members’ Bill to be passed by Parliament in 2 years and the first during the 40^th Parliament. (Last PMB that received Royal Assent was on June 26, 2008)



In total, 229 PMBs have received Royal Assent since Confederation in 1867. This averages out to 1.5 PMBs passed by Parliament each year.

Only 34 PMBs have been passed by Parliament in the past ten years.

The passing of Bill C-268 is even more significant because it is a Criminal Code amendment.

Only 14 PMBs containing Criminal Code amendments have ever been passed by the Canadian Parliament.

Only 4 PMBs with Criminal Code amendments have been passed by the Canadian Parliament in the last ten years.

Bill C-268 is also one of the few PMBs with Criminal Code amendments that creates a new offence. Most PMBs amend current offences and definitions.

My friends, please read and spread. Thank you.
Walk4Justice co-founders Gladys Radek & Bernie Williams and the Walk4Justice 2010 group will be in Kamloops, BC at National Aboriginal Days on Monday, June 21, 2010 at the Interior Indian Friendship Society, Native Youth Center at 2355 Parkcrest Avenue (Brocklehurst) (250-376-1617) between 2:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. There will be a 50/50 and a raffle draw to help raise much needed funds so for this very important group. Please come show your support.

The walkers will then be starting on the Walk4Justice 2010 from Kamloops on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 9:00 A.M., from the Indian Friendship Center at 125 Palm Street (North Kamloops). There will be drumming and prayers said for their safety before they start walking.

Please help us show support for the Walk4Justice 2010 group. The attention and support from our local media will bring further attention and support to others that otherwise may not know about the walk or about their scheduled stops between Kamloops, BC and Winnipeg, MB.

Thank you so very much, Glendene.

Ottawa, ON: June 29, 2010 marks an historical event, with Bill C-268 receiving Royal Assent. This bill is an Act to Amend the Criminal Code (minimum sentence for offences involving trafficking of persons under the age of eighteen years). Bill C-268 was signed by Justice Rothstein and read by the Speaker of the Canadian Senate, giving the Bill Royal Assent by written declaration.



The Bill amends Canada’s Criminal Code by introducing a new human trafficking offence specifically addressing child traffickers. The new law will provide a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment for anyone convicted of trafficking a minor in Canada and a minimum of six years imprisonment for cases with aggravating factors.



[size=9]Bill C-268 was introduced as a Private Member’s Bill to the House of Commons by Member of Parliament for Kildonan-St. Paul, Joy Smith on January 29, 2009. It passed a final vote in the House of Commons on September 30 of the same year with the overwhelming support of the Conservative, Liberal and NDP parties. Only the Bloc Quebecois and a few NDP MPs opposed it.



The Bill was then introduced to the Senate on October 1, 2010 and faced a final vote on June 17 of this year. A bill requires Royal Assent before it comes into force, which occurred on June 29, 2010.



“I am delighted by the strong support that Canadians have shown for the protection of our children,” commented MP Joy Smith. “Just before Canadians celebrate Canada Day on July 1^st, Canadians also celebrate the passage of Bill C-268 into Canadian law. Canada is a proud country and stands firmly against those who exploit children.”



Bill C-268 is the first and only Private Members’ Bill to be passed by Parliament since the last election in 2008. The passing of Bill C-268 is even more significant since it amends the Criminal Code. Prior to this legislation, only 14 Private Members’ Bills containing Criminal Code amendments have been adopted by the Canadian Parliament since Confederation.



“This is an historic moment for all Canadians,” commented Mrs. Smith. “Today we have taken a strong stance against the modern version of slavery. I know that I speak for all Canadians when I say that our children are not for sale!”



There has been considerable support for Bill C-268 by a large number of ethnic, faith-based and law enforcement organizations. In addition, Mrs. Smith has reached out to all Canadian communities from coast to coast advising them of this barbaric crime. In doing so she received many petitions with tens of thousands of signatures of those who support her work.



In addition, people world wide have been calling on Canada to do more to fight human trafficking. The US State Department has identified Canada as a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking. Prior to Bill C-268, Canada was one of the few developed countries that did not enforce mandatory minimum sentences for trafficking children.



For more information on Bill C-268, please visit:



http://www.joysmith.ca/main.asp?fxoid=FXMenu,7&cat_ID=27&sub_ID=96.



[size=9]

[size=9]For further information please contact:



Andrew Smith, Constituency Communications

Office of Joy Smith, MP

Phone: (204) 230-7164



Email: smithj0@parl.gc.ca [/size][/size][/size]

My friends, please spread this to everyone you, also Sky News, and others. Thank you.

Such wonderful news - [size=16]Walk4Justice Reception with Member of Parliament Joy Smith - (this is the Facebook event page link)
This is a BBQ is hosted by Canadian MP Joy Smith to honour the Walk4Justice walkers, please plan to attend if in the area.

Date:	Thursday, July 29, 2010
Time:	12:00pm - 10:30pm
Location:	Birds Hill Park, Winnipeg , Manitoba

I am hoping that any media contacts receiving this email, will find this interesting enough to help us spread the word, especially those in the Winnipeg area. Thank you for any help you can give us to bring attention to the Walk4Justice 2010. They began this walk, their 3rd, on June 22 in Kamloops, British Columbia and it will end on July 28 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Can you imagine doing this? Walking (approximately) 2000 KILOMETERS or 1240 MILES? Wow, I can't. I wanted to, but my knee was inflamed, and I just knew I would not get far . . . so I hosted them in Kamloops. We had tents in my yard and Dominos Kamloops donated 6 extra large pizzas for our supper that night!
The Walk4Justice 2009 was from Vancouver, British Columbia to Prince Rupert, British Columbia - (approximately) 1230 KILOMETERS or 765 MILES!! This walk was up BC Highway 16, also known as THE HIGHWAY OF TEARS.
The first ever Walk4Justice 2008 was from Vancouver, British Columbia to Ottawa, Ontario - CAN YOU IMAGINE????? They WALKED (approximately) 4700 KILOMETERS or 2900 MILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The co-founders of the Walk4Justice are my friends, Gladys Radek and Bernie Williams. And even though she does not mention it often, Gladys has just 1 leg, well she also has a prosthetic leg, just like when Terry Fox who started his walk across Canada in St. John's, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980 by dipping his leg in the Atlantic Ocean - walked across Canada on 1 leg and Rick Hansen who started his Man in Motion World Tour in Vancouver, British Columbia on March 21, 1985 travelled the world in his wheelchair. All in effort to bring awareness and raise funds. THIS IS WHAT THE WALK4JUSTICE is also all about. To bring awareness to the Missing & Murdered Women of Canada - and to raise funds to continue to to this. The oldest walker is Grandma Mabel Todd, 74 years young, and she has participated in all 3 of the walks.
Sadly Terry Fox did not get to finish his journey - he got to Thunderbay, Ontario - about 1/2 across Canada, (approximately) 5375 KILOMETERS or 3340 MILES. It took him 143 days. The cancer that took Terry's leg, eventually took his life. Terry Fox passed away on June 28, 1981 - exactly one month before his 23rd birthday. RIP TERRY, YOU ARE A TRUE CANADIAN HERO.
Thank you all for caring, and for sharing this message. We need to make Canada just as aware of Gladys Radek and the Walk4Justice as we all are about Terry & Rick.
Sincerely, Jessie's mom Glendene.
PS: I introduced the Walk4Justice to MP Joy Smith, so I am very, very pleased she is hosting a BBQ for the walkers - Glendene.
http://www.joysmith.ca/


[/size]

My friends, update about Jessie Foster´s mum Glendene:

"I have been invited to do a presentation on human trafficking and Jessie's case, at the Lower Nicole Indian Band tomorrow, August 18, 2010.
The person working there who asked me, is one of Jessie's friends from back in their school days.
I am very excited as this is the first time I will be doing one alone, Glendene".

Excellent Pedro...congratulations and lots of succes!

My friends, another update from Jessie´s mum Glendene:

Jessie's name is becoming synonymous with human trafficking.

People have started to contact me when there is something, anything, to do with human trafficking.

Please read the email I got and my reply to it, Glendene.

Ollie Sluzar
Sunday, August 29, 2010 12:43 PM
Glendene Grant

Hello Glendene,

You do not know me but I read about your daughter's case on the internet and how she went missing. This is very tragic and I am sorry that this happened to you and your family.

My name is Ollie Sluzar and I am involved with an organization called the Maple Leaf Alberta Projects (MLAP) who is a committee in Edmonton, Alberta working towards providing a sparkle of hope in the lives of teenage girls in Ukraine. Once we have completed this project it is my belief that we will continue on to do the same to bring a sparkle of hope to girls here in Canada.

Maple Leaf Alberta Projects is currently renovating a structure called the Maple Leaf Safe House that would be a safe haven and provide the education needed to divert young women from Human Trafficking.

We will be holding our "2nd Annual Fundraiser" Dinner, Live Auction and Gifts of Hope on Saturday October 23, 2010 at the Youth Unity Complex beginning at 5:00 PM with beverages, 6:00 Ukrainian Buffet, 7:00 PM Program.

Our guest speaker will be Professor Benjamin Perrin (who you are familiar with) and he will be speaking about his crusade against Human Trafficking. At this event he will also be launching his new book entitled "Invisible Chains: Canada's Underground World of Human Trafficking" (who I believe your daughter Jessie's case is mentioned) which exposes cases of human trafficking worldwide and even locally here in Canada.

Our MC for the evening will be Graham Neil, Award Winning CTV Entertainment Reporter, and our Honourary Chair will be Mrs. Marie Stelmach.

I would like to cordially invite you to our 2nd Annual Fundraiser and perhaps we can both collectively work together in bringing more awareness about Human Trafficking. Tickets for the event are $50.00 and all proceeds from the event will go towards the project in Ukraine. If you and/or anyone else you may know that would be interested in attending our fundraiser or becoming involved with our organization please email me and I will set aside some tickets for you.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

Ollie Sluzar

Reply from Glendene (Jessie´s mum):

Glendene Grant
Sunday, August 29, 2010 11:43 PM
Ollie Sluzar

Ollie, thank you so much for your email. It always makes me happy to hear that others are aware of Jessie's case. I work hard keeping her name out there and also trying to educate others on the huge issue of human trafficking. Starting last year I have been volunteering my time going to high schools and other organizations with Mark Price, the head of the Kamloops & District Crime Stoppers with a program I helped to develop, including several videos I have made, that are included in the presentation. I was invited by the Lower Nicola Indian Band to do my presentation on my own earlier this month, without Crime Stoppers, and that made me realize the need for this is so great, and not simply provided by those in 'authority', but from those whose lives have been changed and who have real life experiences to share and use to teach with.

I am very happy to hear about the work done by MLAP, a 'recovery' home is very much needed for the victims of human trafficking, if they are ever to become survivors. I want so much to work in this field also, as there are not enough people or places available who are in the 'know'. Although I am not 'schooled' and I have no letters behind my name other than MOM, I have been referred to as an expert on human trafficking and over the years I have discovered that I actually am. Very few people know what I know on this subject and I have already helped victims/survivors and their families. I did not ask to be involved at this level, but I was also not given a choice. It was do this or give up, as there is no middle ground with this horrific topic that is now my life.

I definitely know who Professor Perrin is, not just as Canada's leading human trafficking expert and one of the first people to acknowledge Jessie as a human trafficking victim, but also because Jessie is included in his book.

I would very much love to attend your "2nd Annual Fundraiser Dinner" in Edmonton in October (October 23rd is 4 days after my birthday, and this would be a wonderful birthday gift - I would think of it as being a gift from Jessie), but at this time, I am nearing bankruptcy and I simply do not have the $50 needed to attend the event. Having a missing child hurts more than your heart. It stops you from working and providing a decent living for yourself. At least it did with me. I am wondering though, if perhaps you would be interested in me speaking - from the families perspective? Maybe I could talk about the Crime Stoppers work I have been doing. I will also ask Mark Price, head of the Kamloops & District Crime Stoppers about attending the Fundraiser with me, after all, it is Crime Stoppers that wants to get together with the RCMP to educate the Canadian citizens on human trafficking - and this is the only Crime Stoppers office I have heard of that has actually stepped up to do it. We have been to high schools and other organizations to do my human trafficking education program. The last one I did was at the L.N.I.B. (Lower Nicola Indian Band) and I had a chance to present it on my own, as Mark was not available for their Youth Days on August 18, 2010.

As you most likely know, human trafficking is the third largest illegal money making activity in the world.
- #1 is DRUGS - they can be sold only & used once
- #2 is GUNS - they can be sold & used many times
- #3 is HUMAN TRAFFICKING (AKA our loved ones) - they can be (and are) sold & used over and over and over again.

So I plan on starting an organization called M.A.T.H. (Mother's Against Trafficking Humans). I don't know what to do, all I know is I WILL do it.

Do the M.A.T.H.!
2.5 million people are trafficked yearly around the world*
PLUS a global annual market of about $42.5 billion**
EQUALS who is getting rich? Someone is, and it is not the victims and their families.
*The United Nations estimates 2.5 million people from 127 different countries are being trafficked around the world annually.
**The Council of Europe states there is a global annual market of about $42.5 billion.

Who knows, Ollie, maybe M.A.T.H. could be something that MLAP would be interested in working with when I am up and running.

Thank you, again, for your message and your time. I did not intend on sending a message this long, but sometimes I just have a lot to say.

Sincerely, Jessie's mom Glendene Grant.
jessiesmom@jessiefoster.ca

Missing Jessie Foster & Human Trafficking Information in 2010

Put together by Jessie's mom Glendene - Released September 10, 2010

TITLE

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

RCMP & CRIME STOPPERS BLUE BLINDFOLD CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT

MP JOY SMITH's BLUE BLINDFOLD CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT

SEVEN HUMAN TRAFFICKING ARTICLES by JEREMY DEUTSCH of K.T.W.

M.A.T.H. MOTHERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING HUMANS

BOOKS OUT or COMING OUT WITH JESSIE's CASE MENTIONED



INTRODUCTION: HUMAN TRAFFICKING – Finally it is not just a 3rd world country or crime television thing anymore. I have become friends and allies with people in Canada, the USA, the UK, Spain, South Africa who are all now more aware of human trafficking than ever before because of Jessie's case and all the work I have been doing in her name.

There has been so much just this year alone:

 February 15, 2010 I was honoured to be invited to be a guest speaker at the 19th Annual Women's Memorial March in Vancouver, BC. I was not sure I would be able to make it, due to financial difficulties, but thanks to many generous Jessie supporters all over (from Canada, the USA, Portugal and England) I was able to attend. I was a guest speaker, and during the march I was able to have the glorified honour of drumming. It is a very spiritual thing, and there were several times during the march, that there were several eagles flying high above us. It was amazing, but it was not surprising, To the First Nations People there is nothing surprising about those who have gone before them to be with them at a time like that, too give them strength and love. It was very amazing to me to feel as I did there. While I was there I met some people who were filming a documentary with one of Robert 'Willie' Pickton's victim's daughter, and during their filming, they did a portion on Jessie. Also there was a documentary being filmed called "In the Shadow of the Olympic Flame: A Report from the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, the Poorest Neighbourhood in Canada" in which I was able to show Jessie's missing poster and mentioning her case.

 March 6, 2010 I was contacted by a woman named Timea Nagy, the founder of a human trafficking organization called Walk-With-Me. Timea was also the victim of human trafficking, but she has long become a survivor of this horrific crime. Timea had heard of Jessie's case the previous October when she was in Calgary. She was there to do a human trafficking training session with the Calgary police and it just so happened that there was a 3-day series that Canoe News was doing about missing Canadian women and Jessie's case was on the front page of the Calgary (AB) Herald newspaper, again. Timea was talking to a police officer and he asked her if she had ever heard of Jessie Foster, the Calgary woman who was a human trafficking victim. Timea had not, but she took the paper and for months after that she could not get Jessie out of her mind. Then she was planning her award ceremony to award people who have worked with victims of human trafficking, trying hard to make a dent in this horrific crime. But she did not have a name for her award and she again thought about Jessie and she called me. Timea wanted to know if she could name the award the Glendene & Jessie Foster Award to honour Jessie as a victim and me as the mother of a human trafficking victim who works to raise awareness. I was so pleased. I had long said that Jessie was going to be the Poster Child for human trafficking in Canada and this was definitely going to help. Jessie is the most well-known human trafficking victim in Western Canada, if not the most well-known human trafficking victim in all of Canada.

 March 17 & 19, 2010 were parts one and two of a four-part series in my local Kamloops This Week newspaper called: MODERN-DAY SLAVERY.

 March 23, 2010, Canada's only accredited forensic artist and now a dear friend of mine, Diana Trepkov offered to do an age-enhancement drawing of Jessie as a gift from one mother to the other, as she put it. I was thrilled, and when she ended up doing 3 of them, I could not thank her enough. Then another Jessie supporter, a man who had been through his own daughter's disappearance and murder years earlier, someone who had been there for us since we first realized Jessie was missing wanted to pay Diana her fee to do a 4th drawing of Jessie as she would look, 4 years after being a human trafficking victim. After these drawings were complete, he and I worked on a news release to come out on March 29, 2010, the 4th year of Jessie's disappearance.

 March 24 & 26, 2010 were parts three and four of a four-part series in my local Kamloops This Week newspaper called: MODERN-DAY SLAVERY.

 March 29, 2010 I was in Vancouver, BC on the CTV Canada AM TV show. Diana Trepkov talked to her contact there and they wanted to have her and me on their show at the same time, on March 29, 2010. So I went to Vancouver and Diana went to Toronto and we were on the show 'together' even though we were half-way across the country from each other.

 April 15, 2010, again thanks to the generosity of so many others, I was in Toronto, ON for the First Annual Glendene & Jessie Foster Award Ceremony. I was flown there on WestJet thanks to Louis McIvor donating buddy tickets, getting me plane tickets from Kamloops to Toronto for just $70.00 each and I stayed at the Toronto Sandman Signature Hotel for 2 nights and 3 days in their Penthouse Suite (I would have been happy with a bed and a shower, but there was a hot-tub and everything in this mansion) with everything included. Meals, taxes, anything I needed . . . even bottled water, but I did not know that until I checked out and I found out I owned NOTHING! I got to see Jessie's stepsister Alisha and her 3 children and I got to meet the most incredible people who were all being honoured with a Jessie Award. People like Timea herself, she is such a wonderful person and exactly like she was on the phone and in emails and people like the recipients of the Jessie award:

Law Enforcement •Armand P. La Barge: Chief of Police York Region •York Regional Police: Drugs and Vice Unit •Peel Regional Police: Drugs and Vice Unit •RCMP: Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre, Ottawa •RCMP: Immigration and Passport Section, Hamilton-Niagara Regional Detachment •RCMP: Human Trafficking Coordination Centre, Awareness Coordinator, Toronto, Ontario •Toronto Police Services: Sex Crimes Unit •Toronto Police Services: 22 Division •Edmonton Police: Vice Section, G. John Fiorilli, Edmonton, Alberta •Channa Guenoun: Canada Border Services Agency •Crime Stoppers York Region: Sergeant Gary Harvey, Police coordinator •Toronto Police Services: 52 Division, Sergeant Michael Josifovic

Non-Government Agencies •FCJ Refugee Centre: Loly Rico, Co-Director, Toronto, Ontario •Human Trafficking Coalition Windsor: Shelly Gilbert staff Lawyer, and her team •Professor Benjamin Perrin & MAYTREE Foundation: Toronto, Ontario •Salvation Army Branford: Doug Radmore, Front line worker •Salvation Army Hamilton: Amy Claus, Case worker •Salvation Army Windsor: Sandor Meszaros, Food Services Supervisor •HTAP Waterdone, Ontario: Sister Celeste Reinhart, and her dedicated team members •Sextrade 101, Public Education and Awareness: Natasha Falle, Executive Director •Canada Fights Human Trafficking: Naomi Baker, Founder •Herbert H. Carnegie, Future Aces Foundation: Bernice Carnegie, Executive Director, Brook Chambers, Presenter, Educator

Media •Toronto Sun: Tamara Cherry, reporter, Crime Bureau •Rogers Television Newmarket: Nancy Coldham, Partner •CBC National Television: Mark Kelly, and the production team •Sing Tao Newspapers: Percta Lam, reporter •Rogers Television, Richmond Hill: Brianne Thom, Videographer- First Local •YRMG: Joe Fantauzzi, Reporter •Ric Esther Bienstock: Producer, Director •Marina Jemenez: Globe and Mail foreign respondent •Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall: Freelance Writer, Toronto

Private Groups / Citizens •MP leader Joy Smith: Member of the Parliament, Winnipeg •Joel Oosterman: Chief of Staff, Office of Joy Smith, MP •Bernice Carnegie and Brook Chambers: Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation

Each one of these people received the "First Annual Glendene & Jessie Foster Award" for their hard work, but to me, it was even more than that. To me it meant that every one of the recipients would be going home and talking about the award and human trafficking, and during those discussions Jessie Foster would be mentioned.

 April 15, 2010 at the "Glendene & Jessie Foster Award Ceremony", I got the honour of being asked by MP Joy Smith, if I would be interested in going to our nation's capital city, Ottawa, Ontario to testify at the Senate hearing to get her Bill C-268 to be passed into law. Which it was, but without needing the testimony of citizens.

 May 1, 2010 we started to get responses from some of our local schools for myself, Mark Price from the Kamloops & District Crimes Stoppers and Deb Noel from the Catholic Women's League to do our presentation to educate the students about human trafficking.

 June 1, 2010 there was an article in the Flint (Michigan, USA) Journal newspaper about M.A.T.H.: *Canadian mother, Glendene Grant* aims to raise awareness of human trafficking by starting Mothers Against Trafficking Humans.

 June 8 & 10, 2010 we did our presentation for the grade 11 Social Studies classes at Valleyview Secondary School.

 June 17, 2010, MP Joy Smith's Bill C-268 has finally passed the Senate of Canada. What a day for celebration around our country.

 June 22, 2010 we gave the Walk4Justice 2010 a send-off in Kamloops, British Columbia where they started. This year the walk was to Winnipeg, Manitoba. I had contacted MP Joy Smith about the walkers ending in Winnipeg and she organized a BBQ to welcome them and to celebrate the Walk4Justice 2010 achieving its goal. I am so proud to have been part of this. I hosted the walkers at my home on June 21st with tents pitched all over my side yard. We had dinner provided by our local Domino's Pizza. I called them and told them that the walkers were at my home, and since I had won a contest to get a pizza a week for a year, meaning I won 52 pizzas, so I ordered some then (and the rest we used for a Dine 'N Dance fundraiser for Jessie in July). And I am very proud that a young woman who is like a daughter to me (her mom is one of my long-time friends from teen hood), Shona White and her boyfriend Jarrod Nosan, hosted the walkers at their home in Canmore, Alberta. They enjoyed Jarrod's delicious spaghetti dinner.

 June 29, 2010 marked an historical event, with Bill C-268 receiving Royal Assent. This bill is an Act to Amend the Criminal Code (minimum sentence for offences involving trafficking of persons under the age of eighteen years). Bill C-268 was signed by Justice Rothstein and read by the Speaker of the Canadian Senate, giving the Bill Royal Assent by written declaration.

 July 29, 2010, MP Joy Smith hosted the BBQ for the Walk4Justice when they arrived in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was held at Birds Hill Park from 12:00 P.M. to 10:30 P.M. They had walked (approximately) 2000 kilometers or 1240 miles. The Walk4Justice 2009 was from Vancouver, British Columbia up the Highway of Tears to Prince Rupert, British Columbia. They walked (approximately) 1230 kilometers or 765 miles! And the first ever walk, the Walk4Justice 2008 was from Vancouver, British Columbia to our nation's capital, Ottawa, Ontario. They walked (approximately) 4700 kilometers or 2900 miles!! The plan for the Walk4Justice 2011 is again to walk to Ottawa again.

August 18, 2010 I was invited by the L.N.I.B. (Lower Nicola Indian Band) to do a presentation on human trafficking prevention for their youth group. Ages 6 to 18 years old. Previously I have only done presentations to high school age students, so I had to change it somewhat to be more suitable for younger kids. This was my first time I did my presentation without Mark from Crime Stoppers and I was very proud of myself. I also got a chance to invite Megan Stevenson from the S.H.O.P. (Social & Health Options for Persons in the sex trade) program, which is within the A.S.K. (Aids Society of Kamloops) to go with me and she got the opportunity to do her own presentation to the group. Prior to this, Megan and I had been talking about a new organization that they want to have a chapter open in Kamloops called C.A.S.E.Y. (Communities Against Sexual Exploitation of Youth).

 August 29, 2010 I got an email from a gentleman with M.L.A.P. (Maple Leaf Alberta Projects) about being a guest at their upcoming book launch for Professor Perrin's book on human trafficking in Edmonton on October 23, 2010. They are going to try to arrange to bring me there to be their guest, but since this is also a fundraiser, there is nothing concrete yet.

 September 2010, Timea Nagy's book, called "Walk With Me, Memoirs of a Sex Slave Survivor" is being released. Jessie is mentioned in her book.

 September 7, 2010, Canadian Public Safety Minister Vic Toews was joined by Joy Smith, Member of Parliament for Kildonan – St. Paul, Manitoba, for an announcement launching a national human trafficking awareness campaign. The federal department of Public Safety is partnering with the RCMP and the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association to launch the Crime Stoppers "Blue Blindfold" Campaign. The campaign will educate the public on human trafficking and provide tools for Canadians to join the fight against human trafficking (which is something that I have been doing for months with Mark Price and the Kamloops & District Crime Stoppers. An upcoming article actually said the following about our presentation, in his article about this very announcement: "It was the only one of its kind in the country".

 September 9, 2010 there was a very good article on the Kamloops This Week website by Jeremy Deutsch about the 'Blue Blindfold Campaign', including his interview with me. This article was in the September 10 hard copy issue.

 September 10, 2010 I got a call from one of my local Kamloops Members of Parliament, Cathy McLeod's assistant. She told me Mrs. McLeod was hoping I had time to meet with her next week (of course I have time). We are meeting at 10 A.M. on Thursday, September 16, 2010.

 October 5, 2010, Professor Benjamin Perrin's book, called "Invisible Chains: Canada's Underground World of Human Trafficking" will be released. Jessie is mentioned in his book.

 October 18, 2010 is Professor Benjamin Perrin's book launch in Vancouver, British Columbia. It will be held at U.B.C. (University British Columbia) where he is an assistant professor of law.

 October 19, 2010 will be my 53rd birthday and my 5th without knowing where my daughter is, or even if she is alive. All I do know is that Jessie was beaten and forced to work for an escort agency and when she tried to leave she disappeared. My daughter is a human trafficking victim and I want, one day, to have a real HAPPY BIRTHDAY – I want to get answers to my haunting question, WHERE IS JESSIE? On May 27, 2011 it will be Jessie's champagne birthday. She will be 27 on the 27th. I hope to get some answers, any answers, by then.

 October 22, 2010 is Professor Benjamin Perrin's book launch in Calgary, Alberta. (Calgary is where Jessie was born, and though my children and I moved to Kamloops, British Columbia when she was just 3 years old, Jessie did move back to Calgary when she was 16 years old and in grade 11. Jessie graduated from high school in Calgary in 2002. It was in Calgary that Jessie met the person who took her to the USA, which was the beginning of the end of life as the Grant/Foster/Hoflin families had known it, and the beginning of the nightmare of our lives.)

 October 23, 2010 is Professor Benjamin Perrin's book launch in Edmonton, Alberta, the once to which I am invited to be the guest of M.L.A.P. (Maple Leaf Alberta Projects).

RCMP and CRIME STOPPERS BLUE BLINDFOLD CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT

The following content taken was from the website for the C.C.S.A. (Canadian Crime Stoppers Association): http://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/?content/human_trafficking.html

CCSA Homepage: http://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/?content/home.html

Human trafficking is a global and multi-faceted phenomenon. It occurs across and within national borders. Its defining feature is the illegal exploitation of women, men and children. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has raised the profile about human trafficking throughout the world and has encouraged all nations to take appropriate actions to help stop such illegal and cruel activity.

Here in Canada, as you will come to realize, we do have human trafficking occurring in large numbers all across the country. A problem we all face right now is a general lack of knowledge about the issue of human trafficking and its presence in our communities. We hope to be able to change that.

The C.C.S.A. (Canadian Crime Stoppers Association) was very pleased to be approved recently by Public Safety Canada to participate in a project which will extend the ability of Crime Stoppers programs across the country and help increase awareness of this growing issue. The project will encourage provision of information through the tip taking network which will facilitate law enforcement response to any identified human trafficking activity.

Public Safety Canada is funding the development of posters, pamphlets and presentations which will be provided to every Crime Stopper program for use in raising awareness in the communities we serve. Crime Stoppers in Canada currently serves over 4000 communities through its 107 programs. If we can raise awareness nationally about this important issue we should be able to decrease, if not eventually eliminate, this illegal activity.

CCSA will be introducing the media materials to you over the next few months and asking for your assistance in helping raise overall awareness in Canada about the issue of human trafficking. It is our hope that local programs will conduct community meetings which will help raise understanding about human trafficking and Crime Stoppers involvement in this growing problem. Full details will be included in the packages.

The following content taken was from the website of the R.C.M.P (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) Human Trafficking National Coordination Center: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ht-tp/index-eng.htm

The R.C.M.P (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) Homepage: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/index-eng.htm

The RCMP has established a Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre (HTNCC) within the Immigration and Passport Branch at Headquarters in Ottawa. The Centre works in partnership with domestic and international agencies to develop an extensive network of partnerships, monitors investigations from a national perspective, facilitates the central processing of requests from international law enforcement agencies, provides analytical services and intelligence feedback to domestic law enforcement, and contributes to international data banks.

The following 'Tories target human trafficking in campaign' was taken from the CBC News website: http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/09/07/toews-human-smuggling-tamil-ship.html

The federal government is partnering with Crime Stoppers to enlist the Canadian public's help in detecting and reporting signs of potential human trafficking.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews says law enforcement officials need Canadians to be aware of the signs of human trafficking. (CBC)The announcement Tuesday by Public Safety Minister Vic Toews comes in the wake of last month's arrival of the MK Sun Sea, a ship carrying hundreds of Tamil migrants, in British Columbia.

Toews said that by exposing the reality of the "disturbing" crime of human trafficking, the "Blue Blindfold" campaign will give Canadians a better understanding of how to detect it and report suspicious activity.

While Toews acknowledged the Sun Sea was a case of human smuggling, not trafficking, he noted that smuggling sometimes turns to trafficking if those being transported are unable to make payment.

While human smuggling involves the illegal movement of people across international borders for payment, trafficking includes an additional element of exploitation — usually in the form of forced labour, prostitution and other forms of servitude — and usually involves threats or the use of force.

Toews said most human trafficking victims are women and children from Asia, who are often forced into the sex trade.

"Most are women and children and their cases often go unnoticed and unreported due to threats from offenders, language barriers or mistrust of authorities," he said.

CBC News has learned that Toews is also expected to present Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet with a list of legal options later this week on how to target human smugglers.

The Conservative government has been floating the idea of new laws since the arrival of the Sun Sea in Victoria on Aug. 12. All 492 people on board have requested refugee status in Canada.

Toews said there was "certainly a possibility" of other vessels from Sri Lanka coming to Canada and reiterated investigators' suspicion that the Sun Sea was a "test ship" to gauge the Canadian government's response.