Philippe Couillard needs to do more to fight sexual exploitation: Qubec Solidaire

QubecSolidaireis calling on the province toreintroduce funding for programs aimed at cracking down on sexual exploitation.

MNA Manon Mass says the $1.4-million, three-year program was scrapped by the Premier Philippe Couillard's government in 2014.

She says the money helpedseveral organizations work with vulnerable youth.

Masssuggested the recent string of runaways from a Laval group home may have been prevented with better services in place.

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She said funding should be brought back "starting this week."

"We're talking about $1.4 million over three years," she said."It's very little money to do an extraordinary job."

'We won't be able to continue this work'

Stella, aMontreal-based support group for sex workers, is among those impacted by the cuts.

Sandra Wesley, the head of the organization, said its funding won't be renewed for the upcomingfiscalyear, startingApril 1.

Stellahad a program in place to prevent young woman from being drawn into sex work that"worked directly in areas where street gangs have a presence," Wesleysaid.

"Now, we won't be able to continue this work in Quebec."

The OppositionPartiQubcois, meanwhile, hascalledon the Liberalgovernment to restore funding to the province's youth centres.PQ MNAJean-FranoisLisesaidtheprovince has cut $20 million since coming to power.

Last week, the governmentannounced it would sendan auditor to the Laval group home and launcha review into the way its centres are managed.

Five teenage girls living at theyouth protection home CentreJeunessede Laval have run away since late last month.Four have been located.