Human trafficking is an unconscionable crime that impacts the most vulnerable in Canada and around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more difficult to keep people safe, and help victims escape situations of human trafficking and access the supports they need.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all the incredible work women’s and equality-seeking organizations in the Toronto area are doing to make our communities safer and more inclusive for everyone. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have provided $100 million in emergency COVID-19 funding to organizations serving women and children experiencing gender-based violence and made existing funding programs more flexible. To date, this assistance has been provided to 800,000 people across the country. Today’s investment will ensure that survivors and victims of human trafficking receive the support they need to regain independence and control over their lives.”

The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

“The Government of Canada is taking strong action to end human trafficking in Canada. The funding announced today will support organizations that are doing critical work to raise awareness and provide supports to survivors and victims of human trafficking. We will continue to work with all partners across the country to make sure that everyone is protected from human trafficking and its harms.”

Gudie Hutchings, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

• Despite strong laws and global protocols, it is estimated that human trafficking generates around $150 billion in criminal profits worldwide annually. It disproportionately impacts women and children. In Canada, the vast majority (95%) of human trafficking victims were girls and women. More than one in five (21%) victims were girls below the age of 18. 

• Since 2015, the Government of Canada has responded by investing multi-year funding for over 500 organizations working to address and prevent all forms of gender-based violence and promote gender equality, including through Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence. 

• In 2019, the federal government introduced its $75 million National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking. This includes dedicated funding to create and maintain the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline, a multi-lingual, 24/7 service that connects callers to supports and services. This hotline is a secure avenue for providing tips or reporting human trafficking to authorities. 

• The National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking builds on and complements the efforts of Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence. It also advances the implementation of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice. 

• To ensure that anyone facing gender-based violence has reliable and timely access to protection and services, no matter where they live, Budget 2021 invested $601.3 million over five years to advance towards a new National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. This includes increased funding for initiatives to end human trafficking. 

Associated links

• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Human trafficking call for proposals
• National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking 2019-2024
• Gender-Based Violence Knowledge Centre
• Centre francophone du Grand Toronto
• Family Services of Peel
• FCJ Refugee Centre
• Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto
• Victim Services Toronto
• Strides Toronto Support Services
• Ontario Network of Victim Service Providers
• Women's Centre for Social Justice
• Women’s Support Network of York Region

Marie-Pier Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
613-295-8123

Media Relations
Women and Gender Equality Canada
1-855-969-9922

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