Human Trafficking

Date: 10/08/2020

Classification: Unclassified

Branch/Agency: PCSCCB/LEBS/SOCD

Proposed Response:

Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable and the Government takes this issue very seriously.

Financial Implications:

Background:

Human trafficking, also referred to as trafficking in persons, involves the recruitment, transportation or harbouring of persons for the purpose of exploitation, typically sexual exploitation or forced labour. The primary international instrument to combat trafficking in persons is the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC; also known as the Palermo Convention) and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (Trafficking in Persons Protocol). Canada ratified UNTOC and the Trafficking in Persons Protocol on May 13, 2002.

Canada’s criminal laws prohibit trafficking in persons for any exploitative purpose, regardless of whether it occurs within Canada or involves bringing persons into Canada. The Criminal Code of Canada contains specific human trafficking offences that are punishable by maximum penalties up to life imprisonment, with mandatory minimum penalties ranging from one to six years.

Canada has been identified as a source, destination and transit country for victims of human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labour. According to the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, police-reported incidents on human trafficking in Canada have steadily increased since 2010. The latest Juristat on Trafficking in Persons in Canada indicates that between 2009 and 2018, 97% of human trafficking victims in Canada were female, 45% of all victims were between the ages of 18 and 24, 26% were 25 years or age or older, and 28% were under 18. Individuals at risk of victimization include persons who are socially or economically disadvantaged, such as Indigenous women and girls, LGBTQ2 persons, migrants, new immigrants, and at-risk youth, including teenage runaways and children who are in protection.

In September 2019, the Government launched the new National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking that is supported by an investment of $56.82 million over five years and $10.28 million ongoing. The National Strategy builds on the internationally recognized pillars of prevention, protection, prosecution and partnerships, and incorporates a new pillar of “empowerment” to ensure considerable focus is put towards enhancing supports and services to victims affected by this crime.
Of the overall investment, PS has been allocated $22.6M over five years, beginning in 2019-20 and $2.92 million ongoing to develop tools, resources and guidelines for standard provision of care; deliver a public awareness campaign; develop sector-specific training tools; increase contribution funding under Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime for support services; undertake research and data activities; and establish an Advisory Committee made up of victims/survivors of human trafficking. Other federal departments and agencies (Canada Border Services Agency, Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Women and Gender Equality Canada) have also been allocated funding to implement the National Strategy.

To support the National Strategy, in September 2019 Ms. Shirley Cuillierrier was appointed as the Interim Special Advisor to Combat Human Trafficking. Ms. Cuillierrier is a retired RCMP Assistant Commissioner and member of the Mohawk First Nation from Kanesatake, Quebec. She has significant experience in operational policing and has led the RCMP’s National Human Trafficking Coordination Centre. Ms. Cuillierrier has dedicated much of her professional and personal time to educating, volunteering and investigating crimes of violence against women and children. In 2017, Ms. Cuillierrier was appointed Senior Advisor on Reconciliation and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The National Strategy builds on ongoing efforts to address this crime. This includes enhanced funding for Justice Canada’s Victims Fund, increased protections for temporary foreign workers, capacity-building efforts, funding for survivor-housing response models, training for law enforcement and government officials, and extensive stakeholder engagement. Most notably, Budget 2018 announced $14.51 million over five years and $2.89 million ongoing to establish a national human trafficking hotline. In October 2018, Public Safety Canada entered into a five year contribution agreement for $12.5 million over five years with the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, a non-governmental organization, to support the operation of the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline. The Hotline was launched on May 29, 2019. It is a multilingual, 24/7, toll-free line, referral service and resource Centre that receives calls, emails and texts about potential human trafficking in Canada and refers victims to local law enforcement, shelters and a range of other trauma-informed supports and services.

Contacts :

Prepared by: Asha Clarke, Senior Policy Advisor, 343-543-8917
Approved by: Trevor Bhupsingh, A/ADM Community Safety and Countering Crime, 613-990–2703

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