Canada

A federal law proposed by a northern Ontario MP could see community groups get funding through the justice system.

The private member's bill from Sudbury Liberal Viviane Lapointe would allow judges who issue fines to criminals to direct that "restitution" money to charitable organizations.

The bill specifically mentions groups combatting homelessness, addiction and human trafficking.

Cristina Scarpellini, the founder of Angels of Hope Against Human Trafficking in Sudbury, says this came up at the trial of a man who was running a local prostitution ring.

"Although the survivor did mention to me that she did feel that there was justice, but she did say to me, 'You know, where's all my money that I made him? Why's he allowed to keep that? Why isn't it going to organizations or myself?" she said.