Government of Canada engages stakeholders to counter human trafficking

From: Public Safety Canada

News release

September 28, 2018

Toronto, Ontario

The Government of Canada takes a strong stance against human rights abuses like human trafficking, especially as it impacts our most vulnerable people.

Human trafficking is a complex and far-reaching crime, and one that disproportionately affects women and girls. That’s why the Government of Canada has been working to put an end to human trafficking by supporting prevention and intervention initiatives.

Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to preventing and combatting human trafficking and supporting victims and survivors at a national summit organized by Public Safety Canada, which brought together expert stakeholders, including law enforcement organizations; provinces and territories; victims and survivors; Indigenous organizations; academics; and criminal justice and victim service providers to share their knowledge and insight on this issue. The summit was the culmination of three regional roundtables held this month in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Montreal.

The summit and related consultations will help support the development of a new national strategy to combat human trafficking in Canada and abroad.

Quotes

“Most victims of human trafficking are women and girls. The Government of Canada is committed to fighting this abhorrent attack on basic human rights and dignity. This national summit, which coincides with Canada’s first-ever Gender Equality Week, was an important milestone in our joint efforts to counter human trafficking. It has set the stage for the development of a new national strategy.”

- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Quick facts

  • Budget 2018 invested $14.51 million over five years, beginning in 2018-19, and $2.89 million per year ongoing, to establish a National Human Trafficking Hotline that will serve to report tips to law enforcement, refer victims and survivors to the appropriate services, and collect data to better understand and respond to this issue.

  • While individuals of all backgrounds and across all income levels can be trafficked, Indigenous women and girls, youth in care, runaway and homeless youth, persons with disabilities, refugees and migrants, and LGBTQ2 persons are particularly at risk – the common denominator is some form of vulnerability.

  • Human trafficking is difficult to measure, due in part to its hidden nature. While there has been an increase in the number of human trafficking incidents reported by police in recent years, human trafficking remains highly underreported.

  • Canada chaired the G7 Security Minister’s Meeting in Toronto, where G7 Ministers agreed to work together to combat human trafficking, committing to strengthen procurement practices and strengthen information sharing, among other measures.

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Contacts

Scott Bardsley
Senior Advisor for Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-998-5681
scott.bardsley@canada.ca

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
ps.mediarelations-relationsaveclesmedias.sp@canada.ca

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