National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking

National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking PDF Version (406 KB)
Table of contents

Foreword

Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, often described as modern-day slavery. This crime robs its victims of their most basic human rights and is occurring in Canada and worldwide. The victims, who are mostly women and children, are deprived of their normal lives and compelled to provide their labour or sexual services, through a variety of coercive practices all for the direct profit of their perpetrators. Exploitation often occurs through intimidation, force, sexual assault and threats of violence to themselves or their families.

Human trafficking is a complex issue with a diverse range of victims and circumstances. In Canada, we have seen instances of trafficking for sexual exploitation and labour exploitation. We have seen both Canadian victims and foreign national victims. We have seen men, women, and children fall prey to this terrifying reality.

As part of our Government's longstanding commitment to protect the vulnerable, tackle crime and safeguard Canadians and their families in their homes and communities, we are taking action against these terrible crimes.

Canada was among the first countries to ratify the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. Our efforts are guided by this Trafficking Protocol and seek to prevent trafficking from occurring, protect victims of human trafficking, bring its perpetrators to justice and build partnerships domestically and internationally. To effectively combat this issue will require the involvement not only of the federal government, but of provincial and territorial governments as well. And to be successful, governments must also work closely with law enforcement, civil society and others.

While many initiatives are underway, both at home and abroad, the time has come to consolidate all of the activities into one comprehensive plan with an unwavering pledge to action. The Government of Canada's National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking proposes strategies that will better support organizations providing assistance to victims and helps to protect foreign nationals, including young female immigrants who arrive in Canada alone, from being subjected to illegitimate or unsafe work.

The National Action Plan builds on our current responses and commitment to work together with our partners to prevent and combat this disturbing crime. It leverages and builds on Canada's international and domestic experience to date and provides aggressive new initiatives in order to address human trafficking in all its forms.

I commend those who have already shown their commitment to ending this horrific crime for their hard work and dedication. I am confident that as we move forward as a country, we will be able to effectively address this issue in Canada and in the international arena as well. In releasing this National Action Plan, we are sending a clear message that Canada will not tolerate this crime, that victims will be given the help they need, and that perpetrators will be brought to justice.

Minister of Public Safety

Introduction

Globally, it is estimated that human trafficking is amongst the most lucrative of criminal activities, rivaled only by drug and firearms trafficking and generating billions of dollars annually for sophisticated criminal organizations.

At any given time, it is believed that worldwide at least 2.451 million people are forced to perform degrading, dehumanizing and dangerous work in conditions akin to slavery. At the same time, it is estimated that the numbers continue to increase. It is not known whether this increase is due to improved efforts to investigate, detect and report this crime or whether it is due to an actual increase in the incidence of the crime worldwide. This crime is taking place in Canada, where human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation is, to date, the most common manifestation of this crime and where the vast majority of the victims are Canadian women and children.

What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, harbouring and/ or exercising control, direction or influence over the movements of a person in order to exploit that person, typically through sexual exploitation or forced labour. It is often described as a modern form of slavery.

Human trafficking is often confused with human smuggling, so what are the differences?

Consent: The smuggling of migrants, while often undertaken in dangerous or degrading conditions, involves migrants who have consented to the smuggling. Trafficking victims, on the other hand, have either never consented or, if they initially consented, that consent has been rendered meaningless by the coercive, deceptive or abusive actions of the traffickers.

Exploitation: Smuggling ends with the migrants' arrival at their destination, whereas trafficking involves the ongoing exploitation of the victim.

Transnationality: Smuggling is always transnational, whereas trafficking may not be. Trafficking can occur regardless of whether victims are taken to another State or only moved from one place to another within the same State.

United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime

Organized criminal networks, as well as individuals, perpetrate this crime, operating within Canada's borders and internationally. Traffickers reap large profits while robbing victims of their freedom, dignity and human potential at great cost to the individual and society at large. Traffickers control their victims in various ways such as taking away their identity documents and passports, sexual abuse, threats, intimidation, physical violence, and isolation.

Victims suffer physical or emotional abuse and often live and work in horrific conditions. They may also face fatal consequences if they attempt to escape. This crime represents a consistent and pervasive assault on the fundamental human rights of its victims.

He told her that he had control over her, that she belonged to him and that he could do anything he wanted to her. He became more and more abusive with her, both physically and verbally. He threatened to kill her and told her that, if she reported him to the police, he could easily hire someone to kill her for a couple of rocks of crack. He told her that if she fled, he would end up finding her and that he would stab her [translation].

Excerpt from the decision of the court in R v. Urizar, Court of Québec, Criminal Division

While it is impossible to truly know the full scope and impact of this problem at the international or Canadian level, we do know that women and children are the primary victims -overwhelmingly so for sexual exploitation but also for forced labour - however, men are not immune to this crime.

The extent of human trafficking, either in Canada or internationally, is difficult to assess due to the hidden nature of these offences, the reluctance of victims and witnesses to come forward to law enforcement and the difficulty of identifying victims in practice. Moreover, these cases often go unnoticed and unreported due to manipulation, fear, threats from traffickers, shame, language barriers or mistrust of authorities.

Why do victims not come forward?

Victims May:

A set of interrelated "push" and "pull" factors contribute to human trafficking. "Push" factors include extreme poverty, unemployment, lack of education, inadequate social programs, gender-based inequality, corruption, war and conflict situations, and political unrest in countries of origin. "Pull" factors include the perceived financial rewards of cheap, exploitative labour practices in some economic sectors. Victims may also be 'pulled' into trafficking through the promise of money and what is portrayed as or believed to be a better life.

Human trafficking is often characterized as a "low risk/high reward activity" because of the fact that the crime is clandestine, therefore difficult to detect and investigate, which contributes to the relatively low prosecution rates worldwide. Victims can be exploited over and over for the financial or material benefit of the traffickers making this crime lucrative. The United Nations (UN) has estimated that this illegal activity generates approximately $32 billion2 (US) annually for its perpetrators.

The United Nations, including the General Assembly (UNGA), Security Council (UNSC), Human Rights Council (UNHRC), and the Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) regularly contribute to the global research, prevention and protection landscape on human trafficking. Canada strongly supports anti-human trafficking activities in these various fora and offices, as well as those which are specifically dedicated to the fight against trafficking including the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.

Human Trafficking in Canada

In Canada, human trafficking often takes place in large urban centres, and also occurs in smaller cities and communities, largely for the purpose of sexual exploitation. We know that men, women and children fall victim to this crime, although women represent the majority of victims in Canada to date. More generally, those who are likely to be at-risk include persons who are socially or economically disadvantaged, such as some Aboriginal women, youth and children, migrants and new immigrants, teenaged runaways, children who are in protection, as well as girls and women, who may be lured to large urban centres or who move or migrate there voluntarily. Young women are sometimes recruited by younger male members of street gangs who use the promise of affection as a tool to recruit them.

As part of the Government's efforts, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police conducted Canada's first Human Trafficking Threat Assessment, which reviewed cases and intelligence between 2005 and 2009 to determine the extent of this crime in 20103. The Threat Assessment confirmed that vulnerable, economically challenged and socially dislocated sectors of the Canadian population represent a potential pool of trafficking victims. It noted that non-Canadian victims are often brought to Canada from countries in Asia, notably Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as countries in Eastern Europe.

More recently, increased evidence of human trafficking for forced labour has come to light. Investigations of such cases have occurred across the country with charges being laid in Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia. Cases encountered to date suggest that human trafficking for forced labour is more prevalent in Alberta and Ontario. Labour-related intelligence and investigations have involved foreign nationals, both male and female, from the Philippines, India, Poland, China, Ethiopia, Mexico, Thailand and Hungary. In addition, there are indications that some foreign nationals are illegally transported and subsequently exploited by the employers as domestic servants.

Obtaining cooperation from foreign victims has been particularly challenging for law enforcement. Foreign victims who were trafficked are usually in the country alone, without family or a support system, and may be obstructed by language barriers. Also, they may not always see themselves as victims of human trafficking. In most cases, they are skeptical of police and see very little value or nothing to gain from cooperating with police.

The Threat Assessment reports that investigations and intelligence have identified both men and women migrant workers as a vulnerable group for forced labour. Investigations into claims of labour exploitation have centred on the treatment of migrant workers, and in some cases, the fraudulent use of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program by third parties.

"We were treated like dogs on a short leash… To this day I don't go out after dark because of all the threats. I have also received threats against my mother in Hungary".


- Victim Impact Statement (Hamilton forced labour case)

This Threat Assessment was the first significant overview identifying trends in Canada, providing strategic guidance for enforcement efforts. It has also guided government action by strengthening policies and programs to: better prevent and combat trafficking, address the needs of victims, and target traffickers. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police conducts threat assessments on this crime on an ongoing basis.

Canada's Criminal Law Responses

The Criminal Code of Canada (Criminal Code) contains the tools to hold traffickers accountable and includes four specific indictable offences to address human trafficking, namely sections 279.01 (Trafficking in persons), 279.011 (Trafficking of a person under the age of eighteen years), 279.02 (Material benefit), and 279.03 (Withholding or destroying documents).

Many other Criminal Code offences can also apply to human trafficking cases including kidnapping, forcible confinement, uttering threats, extortion, assault, sexual assault, prostitution-related offences, and criminal organization offences.

Section 118 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) contains a provision that prohibits the bringing into Canada of persons by means of abduction, fraud, deception or use of threat of force or coercion. It carries a maximum penalty of a fine of up to $1 million and/or up to life imprisonment.

The Criminal Code also contains measures designed to make testifying less traumatic for victims and other vulnerable witnesses. Testimonial aids, such as a screen that prevents the witness from seeing the accused, the use of closed-circuit television that permits the witness to testify from outside the courtroom or the presence of support persons may be made available in appropriate circumstances. Other measures that may be available are publication bans on information that would identify a complainant or witness and, in some cases, orders excluding the public from the courtroom.

See Annex A for Canadian anti-trafficking legislation.

Human Trafficking Offences in Canada

Although the extent of human trafficking in Canada is difficult to determine, the following available statistics, as of April 2012, provide some context:

Government of Canada Response

The National Action Plan will consolidate ongoing efforts of the federal government to combat human trafficking and introduce aggressive new initiatives to prevent human trafficking, identify victims, protect the most vulnerable, and prosecute perpetrators. A compendium of Canadian efforts on both the domestic and international stage can be found in Annex B.

In line with internationally accepted best practices, outlined in the Trafficking Protocol, Canada focuses on four core areas, known as the 4-Pillars (the 4-Ps):

The following pages highlight the key elements and activities that will be pursued at home and abroad under the National Action Plan. A full compendium identifying activities and the departments responsible can be found in Annex C.

A Human Trafficking Taskforce, led by Public Safety Canada and comprised of key departments, will replace the Interdepartmental Working Group on Trafficking in Persons and be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the National Action Plan commitments under the 4-Ps and for coordinating the federal anti-human trafficking response and reporting annually on progress to the public.

"Human trafficking and all forms of child exploitation is a horrific abuse of human rights and impacts all of us. Defeating it must unite us all as a nation in the fight to protect our most vulnerable citizens."


Joy Smith, Member of Parliament for Kildonan-St. Paul

The Government will be investing over $6M on an annual basis on Human Trafficking activities, including:

Effort or Activity (lead organization) Government of Canada Investment 2012/13
Dedicated Enforcement Team - RCMP and CBSA $2,030,000
Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre - RCMP $1,300,000
Regional Coordination and Awareness - RCMP $1,600,000
Border Service Officer Training/Awareness - CBSA $445,000
Training, Legislative Implementation, and Policy Development - JUS $140,000
Enhanced Victim Services - JUS Up to $500,000*
Temporary Foreign Worker Program - HRSDC $140,000
Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program - DFAIT $96,000
Global Peace and Security Fund - DFAIT $1,200,000
Stakeholder Consultation and Coordination - Public Safety $200,000
Awareness and Research - Public Safety $155,000

* Beginning in 2013/14

Prevention

The Government of Canada will support a broad-based prevention strategy focusing on awareness raising and research activities to prevent human trafficking.

The Government's view is that prostitution victimizes the vulnerable and that demand for sexual services can be a contributing cause of human trafficking. Prevention is a critical component in responding to human trafficking. The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of developing holistic strategies that address the root causes and risk factors that can lead to human trafficking and related forms of exploitation, and that will assist in reducing the levels of victimization and the harms associated with it. Successful prevention strategies must be developed and implemented at all stages of the prevention continuum, from awareness raising through to prevention of re-victimization.

Action Highlights

To date, the Government of Canada has focused on training law enforcement officials and raising the public's awareness of this crime. Moving forward, the National Action Plan will continue these efforts but will enhance awareness activities by tailoring information to various audiences including with our partners overseas. In addition, the Plan will focus on assisting communities to identify people and places most at-risk of human trafficking so that prevention and intervention efforts can be better targeted.

Under the National Action Plan, efforts will continue to focus on targeted training for first responders and service providers because they are often the first point of contact and provide victims with essential care and emergency relief. This includes promoting the online training tool developed for front-line service providers developed by the British Columbia Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons through a partnership with the Government of Canada. The training of font-line service providers and enforcement officials will continue to strengthen prevention and protection efforts.

The Government of Canada will increase its prevention and awareness efforts in several ways. The Government will develop a new and enhanced web page that includes updates on the Government of Canada's efforts, resources, awareness materials and events. The Government will also align national education, information and awareness campaigns and develop campaigns tailored for specific audiences. Some of these campaigns include a "TruckSTOP" campaign to prevent human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation; distribution of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's "I'm Not for Sale" campaign including to large communities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis; a youth campaign; and, distribution of awareness materials at Canadian Embassies and Consulates.

In addition, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada will develop awareness products for temporary foreign workers, employers, third parties, and Service Canada officers, including working with Citizenship and Immigration Canada to update and translate into five (5) foreign languages a brochure informing temporary foreign workers, including international students who may work in Canada, of their rights and providing important contact information.

There are still many gaps in our knowledge about how human trafficking plays out in Canada, including in Aboriginal communities. Indeed, much of the information in this area is anecdotal. To address the particular context out of which the exploitation of Aboriginal men, women, boys and girls arises, the Government of Canada will raise awareness about trafficking that focuses on prevention, and provide culturally and historically informed training to enforcement officials on the circumstances that may contribute to human trafficking within Aboriginal communities.

The Government of Canada will also develop national and local diagnostic tools to assist with the identification of populations and places most at-risk of trafficking in Canada. In addition, this tool will gather information on related forms of exploitation, and identify resources and populate an inventory of prevention practices. These efforts will inform prevention strategies at the national and local levels and allow better targeting of prevention efforts.

Canada will also seek to prevent human trafficking internationally. Under the Children and Youth Strategy, the Canadian International Development Agency supports a range of programs which address the factors that make children and youth vulnerable to human trafficking. These include investments in health and education, and programs to ensure that schools are safe and free from violence and which protect the human rights of children and youth. Through this Strategy, the Government of Canada will support international partners to increase capacity to prevent and combat human trafficking by developing tools, resources and by providing training to properly equip partners to review and design programs with consideration of unsafe migration and human trafficking risks; ensuring investments include support for community-based women and youth protection mechanisms; ensuring investments in education include the systematic incorporation of curriculums that tackle safe migration and human trafficking scenarios; and, ensuring birth registration is included and promoted in bilateral partners' frameworks and throughout programming.

Protection and Assistance for Victims

The Government of Canada will continue to assist all victims of crime, including trafficking victims; to work with the provinces and territories to deliver services responsive to the needs of trafficking victims; and to promote greater understanding of the needs of trafficked persons with a view to promoting their physical, psychological and social recovery.

Every trafficked person requires a range of support measures to address their particular needs and to assist them in recovering physically, psychologically and socially. In the case of foreign national victims, they may require additional supports and services including, for instance, some form of immigration status.

Comprehensive protection for trafficked persons encompasses many things. First and foremost, it requires the identification of victims of trafficking in a timely manner to ensure their safety and separation from their traffickers and to provide access to immediate health care needs.

The Government of Canada condemns all forms of forced labour, including exploitation tied to human trafficking. Both foreign nationals and Canadian workers benefit from the efforts of the federal government, the provinces and territories which have responsibility for the enforcement of labour standards, occupational health and safety, and labour relations within their own jurisdiction. Furthermore, Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada work together with a range of partners on key issues related to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, a program that supports Canada's economic growth while providing appropriate protections to foreign nationals beyond those in place under provincials and territorial laws. This includes ongoing efforts to ensure that the Live-in Caregiver Program remains fair and equitable for both workers and employers, and that measures are in place to protect participants' rights and security.

Action Highlights

To protect and meet the needs of trafficking victims, the Government of Canada has taken many steps, such as enabling immigration officers to issue short-term temporary resident permits to foreign national victims of human trafficking and providing interim federal health care for such victims. Furthermore, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will consider opportunities for improving current measures in this area. In deciding whether or not to impose or lift visa requirements, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will consider, among other factors, whether a country has been a significant source country for human trafficking.

In Canada, victims of trafficking are not required to testify against their trafficker to gain temporary or permanent resident status.

Since Citizenship and Immigration Canada began issuing Temporary Residents Permits (TRPs) to victims of trafficking in May 2006 to the end of December 20114, 178 TRPs were issued to 73 foreign nationals.

This number includes subsequent permits issued to the same victim to maintain legal status in Canada. Of these victims identified by CIC, 16 were males and 54 were females (including one under 18 years old). Three (3) others were minor dependents of adult victims. 54 of the victims suffered labour exploitation and 14 - sexual exploitation. One victim was subjected to both labour and sexual exploitation, and one reported another kind of abuse. Key source countries included Thailand (30), Moldova (10), the Philippines (9) and Mexico (6).

The Government will also provide support to victims and victim serving organizations through the Department of Justice Victims Fund, which allows provinces and territories and non-governmental organizations to request funding to enhance services for Canadian and foreign national victims. It also provides financial assistance to victims of human trafficking in specified circumstances.

The Victims Fund has supported trafficking in persons projects including, in partnership with Public Safety Canada's Contribution Program to Combat Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking, the development and delivery of a training curriculum and toolkit on human trafficking for first responders; the delivery of awareness raising sessions on services for trafficking victims; the delivery of a workshop on trafficking for service providers to increase skills and awareness; the delivery of training sessions to assist service providers in identifying trafficking victims; and community workshops to raise awareness of trafficking in persons.

Because women and girls are most often victims of trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, the Government will invest in initiatives to end violence against women and girls. For example, Status of Women Canada's programming priority area, "Ending violence against women and girls", includes project funding to support female victims of human trafficking.

Status of Women Canada is supporting the development of culturally specific services for immigrant and refugee women victims of violence and human trafficking at an Edmonton area shelter. The shelter, specifically for immigrant and refugee women, is the first of its kind in Canada and includes outreach services, workshops, a peer mentoring program, and liaison with key stakeholders and law enforcement, social services and immigration services.

Since 2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada have taken steps to improve protections for temporary foreign workers and reinforce employer compliance with program requirements. In April 2011, regulatory changes were implemented to the broader Temporary Foreign Worker Program that, among other provisions, improves the assessment of job offer genuineness, and would deny program access to employers who do not abide by the terms of their job offers. In April 2010, regulatory and administrative changes to the Live-In Caregiver Program - a component of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program - were implemented to increase protections and program flexibility. Changes included live-in caregivers receiving employer-paid benefits (i.e., transportation to Canada, workplace safety insurance and medical coverage until they are eligible for provincial coverage). In addition, an enhanced mandatory employment contract now protects them with respect to hours or work, overtime and other leave entitlements.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada will work on amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations based on proposed legislative text that was tabled on April 26, 2012 as part of the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act that are expected to afford the departments greater authority to monitor employer compliance with program requirements, as well as stronger consequences in cases of non-compliance.

Furthermore, through better prevention and detection, the Government will implement measures to improve the protection of vulnerable foreign nationals, including female immigrants who arrive alone in Canada, from forced labour and sexual exploitation at an early stage. Canada Border Services Agency will undertake efforts to raise awareness with vulnerable foreign nationals at ports of entry. Also, in order to better protect vulnerable persons who are at risk of being trafficked into Canada to work in situations where they could be subject to exploitation, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada will explore options to prevent the sex trade from accessing the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.  The Government of Canada will also work with provincial/territorial partners to ensure that foreign nationals entering Canada under the International Student Program are genuine and attending quality educational institutions throughout their period of stay.

To protect foreign nationals from labour exploitation, including through human trafficking, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada will enhance its information and awareness materials for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and will also improve internal detection and prevention protocols to identify high-risk employers and explore policy development for on-site employer visits. It will also explore improvements to employer monitoring in the Live-in Caregiver Program. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada will continue to monitor recent enhancements to the protection of live-in caregivers, while considering the need for further changes.

Detection, Investigation and Prosecution of Traffickers

The Government of Canada will build on current efforts to bring traffickers to justice and to strengthen the criminal justice system's responses to this crime.

The Government of Canada is committed to combating and disrupting criminal organizations and others involved in the trafficking of people to Canada and within Canada. Canada has a comprehensive legal framework which facilitates the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases and contains measures that support the participation of vulnerable victims/witnesses in the criminal justice process5.

The Government supports Private Member's Bill C-310, 'An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons)', which received all-party support at the House of Commons report stage on April 4, 2012. The Bill was introduced by Conservative Member of Parliament Joy Smith, and includes two amendments that will help combat human trafficking in Canada and abroad. The first amendment would provide a non-exhaustive list of factors that a court may take into consideration when determining whether the legal test of exploitation has been made out. Such factors include the use of threats of force or other forms of coercion and deception. The second amendment would enable the Canadian prosecution of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who commit any of our trafficking in persons offences abroad.

The investigation of criminal offences in Canada is undertaken at the federal, provincial or municipal level, and police officers and prosecutors have a range of tools available to them to bring traffickers to justice. Investigative techniques such as undercover operations or electronic surveillance are permitted in Canadian law and are invaluable tools in human trafficking investigations. Police can also draw on information collected by departments and agencies such as Canada's Financial Transaction and Reports Analysis Centre which can provide financial intelligence regarding possible money laundering by suspected human traffickers.

Since 2008, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Human Trafficking National Coordination Center has coordinated awareness raising sessions that have been provided to over 39,000 officials from law enforcement, government and non-government organizations and the public on human trafficking, Canada's laws and how to assist victims.

Action Highlights

Specific human trafficking offences in IRPA and the Criminal Code provide the basis for investigating and prosecuting this crime. Significant efforts have been pursued to train law enforcement and prosecutors on these new offences and on how to investigate and bring traffickers to justice.

Enforcement of human trafficking legislation will be strengthened through the creation of a dedicated integrated team, led by the RCMP, to undertake proactive human trafficking investigations. This will be the first integrated team in Canada to focus on all types of trafficking, and will be complemented and supported by the Canada Border Services Agency, and a criminal intelligence analyst. Municipal and/or provincial police forces will be invited to participate. This integrated team will work in close partnerships with victim service providers. This approach will enhance cooperative efforts of law enforcement agencies to better identify organizations and individuals involved in human trafficking, and assist victims. The location of the team will be based on current threat and risk assessment information.

The National Action Plan also includes a number of measures to increase awareness and training for enforcement officials and prosecutors. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police will develop and coordinate specialized training for police officers through the Canadian Police College and will add human trafficking awareness to its cadet training curriculum. In addition, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will develop a victim-centred guidebook for investigators to assist them in working with victims and will finalise the on-line human trafficking course for all Canadian law enforcement.

In partnership with the provinces and territories, the Government of Canada will enhance the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking. In particular, an operational handbook on investigation and prosecution of human trafficking offences in Canada for police and prosecutors will be developed and distributed. Efforts will also promote and explore opportunities to work with the National Judicial Institute to promote education on human trafficking amongst the judiciary.

In order to improve operational collaboration and coordination, federal agencies such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Passport Canada, Canada Border Services Agency, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and Human Resources and Skills Development will work to develop and enhance partnerships with law enforcement at the municipal, provincial, national and international levels to improve information and intelligence sharing so that traffickers can be detected, investigated and prosecuted.

Partnerships and Knowledge

The Government of Canada will strengthen its relationships with relevant stakeholders to facilitate the ongoing development of effective policies and tools, to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach; and work to improve its ability to collect, track and report on data related to human trafficking in order to enhance knowledge and adapt our response appropriately, both domestically and on the international stage.

Canada was among the first countries in the world to explicitly recognize and promote partnerships as the "fourth P", acknowledging that it is a necessary component of any successful anti-trafficking strategy.

Maintaining and developing strong partnerships both within and outside the federal government is critical; so too is a robust knowledge base informed by topical and relevant research into the nature and scope of human trafficking. The development of a logical and transparent framework to estimate the extent of this crime is critical to fully understanding the problem and to developing an effective and appropriate policy response. That is why the Government will continue to lead and support work on this issue.

Action Highlights

Successfully combating this crime requires partnerships. By strengthening partnerships with civil society and other levels of government, overall efforts to respond to human trafficking in Canada will be greatly improved. The Government of Canada will engage stakeholders through online consultations and roundtables, and will invite human trafficking experts and stakeholders to present and discuss issues of concern with the Human Trafficking Taskforce. Other efforts will include federal, provincial and territorial collaboration to develop and disseminate an operational handbook for police and prosecutors in relation to human trafficking cases as well as continuing to develop partnerships through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Human Trafficking Awareness Coordinators located across the country.

Reliable data are required to identify victims, ascertain the needs of survivors, and maximize the impact of public awareness campaigns. This National Action Plan will use existing partnerships to collect data on the extent and origins of human trafficking to better identify and track trends on human trafficking in Canada. Furthermore, the Government will provide disaggregated data on the Temporary Resident Permits issued to foreign national victims of human trafficking. The Government will also share aggregated data regarding specifics on offenders and victims of human trafficking on request.

Canada has been a leader in international anti-trafficking efforts across the globe and through its participation in international fora. Canadian experts work with international organizations, including the United Nations and the Organization of American States, to contribute to the global fight against trafficking, consistent with our commitments under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. Canada also advocates that countries, that are not parties to this Trafficking Protocol, take steps to sign and/or ratify it as soon as possible, as it is the primary international legal framework for cooperation and action on this issue.

The National Action Plan consolidates Canada's international efforts which include sharing our experience with partner countries and contributing to capacity building initiatives aimed at preventing and combating human trafficking abroad. To this end, the Government of Canada will continue to promote the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program in the Americas to international organizations, non-governmental organizations and countries to support projects in source and transit countries to combat human trafficking with a focus on organized crime networks, institutional capacity in the justice sector, and help for women and children.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program provides funding to states and organizations to enhance international capacity to prevent and respond to threats posed by international criminal activity, including human trafficking. Since 2009, the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program has supported projects aimed specifically at combating trafficking in persons, implemented by international partners such as:


The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force provides policy, programming, and operational tools (including civilian deployment) for crisis response, stabilization and reconstruction efforts in acutely fragile or conflict-affected countries, and manages the Global Peace and Security Fund in 2011-2012 for programming in stabilization, security and justice system reform, and international peace operations globally. Since 2006, the Global Peace and Security Fund has provided funding to combat human trafficking, primarily in the Americas, through strengthening the institutional capacity of states and peace operations to address this issue:

Annex A:
Canadian Trafficking Legislation

Criminal Code of Canada (Section 279.01-279.04)

Section 279.01 (Trafficking in persons) states:

(1) Every person who recruits, transports, transfers, receives, holds, conceals or harbours a person, or exercises control, direction or influence over the movements of a person, for the purpose of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation is guilty of an indictable offence and liable

(a) to imprisonment for life if they kidnap, commit an aggravated assault or aggravated sexual assault against, or cause death to, the victim during the commission of the offence;

or

(b) to imprisonment for a term of not more than fourteen years in any other case.

(2) No consent to the activity that forms the subject-matter of a charge under subsection (1) is valid.

Section 279.011 (Trafficking of a person under the age of eighteen years) states:

(1) Every person who recruits, transports, transfers, receives, holds, conceals or harbours a person under the age of eighteen years, or exercises control, direction or influence over the movements of a person under the age of eighteen years, for the purpose of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation is guilty of an indictable offence and liable

(a) to imprisonment for life and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of six years if they kidnap, commit an aggravated assault or aggravated sexual assault against, or cause death to, the victim during the commission of the offence;

or

(b) to imprisonment for a term of not more than fourteen years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of five years, in any other case.

(2) No consent to the activity that forms the subject-matter of a charge under subsection (1) is valid.

Section 279.02 (Material benefit) states:

Every person who receives a financial or other material benefit, knowing that it results from the commission of an offence under subsection 279.01(1) and 279.011(1), is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than ten years.

Section 279.03 (Withholding or destroying documents) states:

Every person who, for the purpose of committing or facilitating an offence under subsection 279.01(1) and 279.011(1), conceals, removes, withholds or destroys any travel document that belongs to another person or any document that establishes or purports to establish another person's identity or immigration status is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years, whether or not the document is of Canadian origin or is authentic.

Section 279.04 (Exploitation) states:

For the purposes of sections 279.01 to 279.03, a person exploits another person if they

(a) cause them to provide, or offer to provide, labour or a service by engaging in conduct that, in all the circumstances, could reasonably be expected to cause the other person to believe that their safety or the safety of a person known to them would be threatened if they failed to provide, or offer to provide, the labour or service;

or

(b) cause them, by means of deception or the use or threat of force or of any other form of coercion, to have an organ or tissue removed.

It is also important to recognize that various laws of general application can apply to respond to trafficking including but not necessarily limited to kidnapping (subsection 279(1)), forcible confinement (subsection 279(2)), aggravated sexual assault (section 273), extortion (section 346) and the organized crime (sections 467.11-467.13) and prostitution-related offences (see in particular section 212).

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Section 118)

Section 118 states:

(1) No person shall knowingly organize the coming into Canada of one or more persons by means of abduction, fraud, deception or use or threat of force or coercion.

Definition of "organize"

(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), "organize", with respect to persons, includes their recruitment or transportation and, after their entry into Canada, the receipt or harbouring of those persons.

Annex B:
Selective Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts to Date

Prevention

Protection and Assistance for Victims

Detection, Investigation and Prosecution of Traffickers

Partnerships and Knowledge: Domestic and International

Domestic:

International:

Annex C:
Action Items Chart

Prevention
Objective 1.1: The Government of Canada will support a broad-based prevention strategy focusing on public awareness and research activities to prevent human trafficking.
Task Deliverable (and Timing) Organization
1.11
Support and develop human trafficking information and awareness campaigns.
Promote online training tool launched by the BC Office to Combat Human Trafficking. (Ongoing) PS
JUS
Through a dedicated contribution program support:
  • Persons Against the Crime of Trafficking in Humans to launch TruckSTOP awareness campaign (eg. along 401 corridor) (2011-12)
  • NASHI: Our Children to hold a 2-day youth forum in Saskatchewan on human trafficking. (2011-12)
PS
Roll-out a mass distribution of the "I'm Not for Sale" toolkits to all First Nations territories, Inuit communities and Métis settlements. (2011/12) RCMP
Develop and launch the "I'm Not for Sale" youth campaign which includes a youth tool kit. (2011/12) RCMP
Disseminate awareness materials at Canadian Embassies and High Commissions abroad. (2012/13) DFAIT
CBSA
HRSDC (TFWP)
Increase awareness among Aboriginal men, women, boys and girls in regards to trafficking. (2012/13) AANDC
PS
Provide information on the circumstances that result in the trafficking of Aboriginal women and youth. (2012/13) PS
AANDC
Provide links to other government department websites, immigration programs and human trafficking awareness materials on Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Embassy websites. (2012/13) DFAIT
Enhance information and awareness materials related to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, including: update Temporary Foreign Worker Program website; update and disseminate the "Your Rights are Protected" pamphlet for temporary foreign workers; and, develop new awareness products for employers, third parties and Service Canada officers. (2012/13 - ongoing) HRSDC (TFWP)
Make information available to anyone with a work permit, such as Temporary Foreign Workers and international students, indicating where they can seek assistance on issues related to employment and health and safety standards. (Ongoing) CIC
HRSDC (TFWP)
Provide information on the TRP for foreign national victims of human trafficking, as well as information on the employment rights of Temporary Foreign Workers on CIC website. (Ongoing) CIC
Incorporate human trafficking in training for overseas immigration officers. (Ongoing) CIC
1.12
Support human trafficking prevention and intervention efforts which advance practical prevention strategies in communities across Canada.
Develop a diagnostic tool designed for use at the local level to identify the populations and places most at risk of human trafficking (and related issues); relevant resources and sources of information, and an inventory of prevention practices. (2012/13) PS
1.13.
Enhance awareness of Government anti- human trafficking efforts.
Provide up-to-date information on Government anti-human trafficking efforts (e.g., periodic reports, legislative updates, resources, news and events) online. (2012/13- Ongoing) PS (in collaboration with the Human Trafficking Taskforce)
Provide information on human trafficking from the "I'm Not for Sale" toolkit and Quick Facts on RCMP website (e.g, number of cases, number of charges, and number of convictions). (Annual-Ongoing) RCMP
Liaise with other departments in the development of integrated web content that highlights human trafficking achievements and awareness materials and promotes linkages. (Ongoing) CBSA
1.14.
Prevent human trafficking and reduce vulnerabilities abroad.
Through the Children and Youth Strategy, CIDA will support implementation of UNSC resolution 1325 in developing countries by:
  • encouraging partners to review and design programs to consider unsafe migration and human trafficking;
  • ensuring CIDA-supported programs and projects consider community-based, and other protection mechanisms for young women and children;
  • encouraging partners to integrate into curriculum design life skills training programs that tackle safe migration and human trafficking scenarios;
  • ensuring birth registration is included and promoted in bilateral partner's frameworks and throughout programming;
  • targeting CIDA programming to women and girls living in poverty, to address the underlying cause of entry into human trafficking circumstances.
(Ongoing)
CIDA
Protection and Assistance for Victims
Objective 2.1: The Government of Canada will continue to assist all victims of crime, including trafficking victims; to work with the provinces and territories to deliver services responsive to the needs of trafficking victims; and to promote greater understanding of the needs of trafficked persons with a view to promoting their physical, psychological and social recovery.
Task Deliverable (and Timing) Organization
2.11
Collaborate with civil society and provinces and territories to develop resources and provide training for front-line service providers on responding to the needs of trafficked persons, and to promote a consistent response across Canada.
Provide information on the victim's state of mind and effects of trauma to criminal justice officials at human trafficking conferences, training, workshops and awareness sessions. (Ongoing) RCMP
Explore, through the federal, provincial and territorial Victims of Crime Working Group, the development of guidelines/basic principles regarding the treatment of/services for victims of human trafficking. (2012/13) JUS
Develop, in consultation with key partners and stakeholders, a list of relevant service providers and NGOs that can meet the needs of victims, for use by law enforcement. (Ongoing) RCMP
2.12
Provide funding to support provinces and territories and community organizations in improving services for victims of crime, including victims of human trafficking.
The Victims Fund currently makes funding available to projects that improve services to victims of human trafficking and will, beginning in 2013/14, have up to $500,000 specifically designated for such projects. JUS
Provide funding, when possible, to projects including support to female victims of human trafficking, preventive measures such as community safety plans, and collaboration with service providers and law enforcement to better identify cases of suspected trafficking and individuals at risk of being trafficked. (Ongoing) SWC
2.13
Protect foreign nationals vulnerable to human trafficking, including female immigrants aged 15-21 years.
Improve protections for temporary foreign workers by developing policy to conduct on-site employer visits (with employer consent and, where applicable, TFW consent) and explore improving employer monitoring in the Live-in Caregiver Program. (2012/13) HRSDC (TFWP)
CIC
CIC will improve monitoring and enforcement in the international student program. (2012/13) CIC
Develop options for responding to Ministerial direction regarding the issuance of instructions that aim to protect foreign nationals who are at risk of being subjected to humiliation or degrading treatment, including sexual exploitation. (2012/13) CIC
The CBSA is working with CIC and the RCMP to make outreach information available to foreign nationals who may be vulnerable to human trafficking. Outreach information will be provided after Primary Inspection Line (PIL) within identified areas at ports of entry. (2012-Ongoing) CBSA
CIC
RCMP
To better protect vulnerable persons who are at risk of being trafficked into Canada to work in situations where they could be subject to exploitation, HRSDC and CIC will explore options to prevent the sex trade from accessing the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. (2012/13) CIC
HRSDC (TFWP)
Work with provincial/territorial partners to ensure that foreign nationals entering Canada under the International Student Program are genuine and attending quality educational institutions throughout their period of stay. (2012/13) CIC
Analyze employer compliance reviews to identify high risk trends. (2012/13-Ongoing) HRSDC (TFWP)
All new Border Services Officers (BSOs) completing CBSA's new recruitment program will have completed the awareness training for Trafficking in Persons and a human trafficking awareness e-learning training will be updated and made available to all existing BSOs who have yet to complete the training. (2012-Ongoing) CBSA
Explore developing improvements to the TFWP process available to exploited temporary foreign workers to change employers. (Ongoing) HRSDC (TFWP)
Provide Temporary Resident Permits to foreign national victims of human trafficking and consider opportunities for improving the Temporary Resident Permit policy and implementation. In deciding whether or not to impose or lift visa requirements, CIC will consider, among other factors, whether a country has been a significant source country for human trafficking. (Ongoing) CIC
Continue to monitor recent enhancements to the protection of live-in caregivers, while considering the need for further changes. (Ongoing) CIC
HRSDC
Refer to and work with the Federal Witness Protection Program when a foreign national victim/witness of human trafficking is deemed eligible under the terms of the program. (Ongoing) RCMP
2.14
Protect Canadians vulnerable to human trafficking.
Issue emergency travel documents to Canadian citizens who are victims of human trafficking abroad for repatriation in a timelier manner. (Ongoing) PPTC
Refer to and work with the Federal Witness Protection Program when a Canadian victim/witness of human trafficking is deemed eligible under the terms of the program. (Ongoing) RCMP
Detection, Investigation and Prosecution of Traffickers
Objective 3.1: The Government of Canada will build on current efforts to bring traffickers to justice and to strengthen the criminal justice system's responses to this crime.
Task Deliverable (and Timing) Organization
3.11
Provide targeted human trafficking training and education for criminal justice officials.
Provide regular briefings on new human trafficking detection methods, indicators and best practices to all CBSA staff with human trafficking related functions along the continuum and assist in providing the necessary tools to better equip officers to identify and intercept victims as well as traffickers. This includes the provision of ongoing training and the development of online training which will facilitate delivery. (Ongoing) CBSA
Explore opportunities to work with the judiciary including the National Judicial Institute to promote education on human trafficking. (2012/13) JUS
Develop and disseminate, through the Coordinating Committee of Senior Officials, responsible for Criminal Justice, an operational handbook for police and prosecutors in relation to human trafficking cases. (2012/13) JUS
RCMP
PPSC
PS
Develop training that emphasizes the value of financial intelligence (both tactical and strategic) to investigations and prosecutions of money laundering activity related to human trafficking. (Ongoing) FINTRAC
Working with various partners, coordinate and deliver training workshops for criminal justice officials throughout Canada, which includes a component on the vulnerability of Aboriginal populations to human trafficking. (Ongoing) RCMP
JUS
PPSC
In collaboration with JUS and several stakeholders, develop education and training including: an advanced course on human trafficking at the Canadian Police College (CPC), human trafficking awareness session for RCMP cadets, an online human trafficking course for law enforcement; and, incorporate human trafficking into CPC and Pacific Region Training Centre courses indirectly related to human trafficking (i.e., Organized Crime, intelligence, and the Aboriginal Gang Reduction Strategies Course). (Ongoing) RCMP
In consultation with stakeholders develop an investigator's victim centered guidebook to assist in identifying and working with victims of human trafficking. (Ongoing) RCMP
Distribute the "I'm Not for Sale" law enforcement toolkit which provides useful operational information for police investigating trafficking cases, victim assistance guidelines as well as information videos, fact sheets, brochures, and posters. (Ongoing) RCMP
3.12
Explore options to raise awareness of human trafficking for forced labour with labour inspectors, officials and TFWP/Service Canada officers.
Explore options to raise awareness of human trafficking for forced labour with labour inspectors and officials in collaboration with the RCMP. (Ongoing) HRSDC (Labour Program)
RCMP
Develop training modules for TFWP/Service Canada officers and human trafficking outreach material for employers and third parties. (Ongoing) HRSDC (TFWP)
3.13.
Enhance intelligence coordination and collaboration.
Coordinate intelligence on human trafficking and enhance the production, on an on-going basis, of threat assessments/intelligence briefs on domestic and international human trafficking within a Canadian context. (Ongoing) RCMP
Maintain partnerships among law enforcement at the municipal, provincial, national and international level to improve information and intelligence sharing within the law enforcement community. (Ongoing) RCMP
When appropriate, conduct parallel Proceeds of Crime Investigations when conducting human trafficking investigations. (Ongoing) RCMP
Increase collaboration with law enforcement to revoke the passport or other travel documents of a Canadian trafficker who is charged (inside or outside Canada) with what constitutes an indictable offence and to impose a period of withheld service. (Ongoing) PPTC
Sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States (US) to enable Canada and the US law enforcement agencies to work more effectively together to combat human smuggling and human trafficking. (2012) RCMP
Collect, analyze, produce and disseminate intelligence materials related to human trafficking and share with relevant internal and external stakeholders involved in preventing human trafficking. (Ongoing) CBSA
Develop and disseminate information with respect to human trafficking trends to stakeholders and consular staff and visa officers on a regular basis. (Ongoing) CBSA
Engage PPTC's Intelligence Division to collect and analyze data related to human trafficking and where there are indicators that a situation may trigger the revocation or refusal process, forward the file to the Investigations Division. (Ongoing) PPTC
CBSA
Increase collaboration with law enforcement in order to include on Passport Canada's System Lookout individuals who are under investigation or who have been charged with criminal offences in regards to human trafficking and when possible, share information to confirm suspects' identity and assist in the prosecution. (Ongoing) PPTC
Promote bilateral cooperation through Mutual Legal Assistance and extradition treaties. (Ongoing) DFAIT
JUS
Provide designated information to partners relevant to investigations or prosecutions of suspected money laundering activity related to human trafficking and monitor and assess financial transactions to identify trends and patterns specific to the laundering of illicit proceeds related to human trafficking. (Ongoing) FINTRAC
Participate in INTERPOL Taskforce on human trafficking to exchange intelligence, awareness and best practices among the international law enforcement community. (Ongoing) RCMP
Dedicated Integrated Enforcement Team consisting of federal, municipal and/or provincial law enforcement agencies, which will focus on all aspects of human trafficking and will be located in an area based on threat/risk assessments. (2012/13 - Ongoing) RCMP
CBSA
3.14
Support investigations and prosecutions.
Develop and make widely available materials to assist front-line criminal justice personnel in the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking in Canada (e.g., issue fact sheets). (Ongoing) JUS
Develop and train police subject matter experts on human trafficking to present expert testimony in court with the objective of convicting traffickers. (2012) RCMP
Provide expertise to police of jurisdiction on human trafficking investigations. (Ongoing) RCMP
Develop RCMP strategic document outlining efforts to combat human trafficking. (2011/12) RCMP
3.15 Ensure that strategies are in place to assess for human trafficking as part of large scale irregulars arrivals. When it is believed that a Canadian travel documents was misused, use PPTC's database of photographs to identify individuals or detect identity fraud and/or impostors. (Ongoing) PPTC
RCMP
Employ an operational contingency plan to investigate and assess Criminal Code of Canada and IRPA offences, including human trafficking, amongst persons who come to Canada as part of large-scale irregular arrivals. (Ongoing) RCMP
3.16
Enhance protocols and Information Technology (IT) systems to improve detection of labour exploitation, including trafficking
Enhance the Foreign Worker System to automatically track and identify high-risk employers and enhance information collection and storage. (2012/13 - Ongoing) HRSDC (TFWP)
Develop predictive risk model to identify high-risk employers. (2013/14 - Ongoing) HRSDC (TFWP)
Partnership and Knowledge (Domestic and International)
Objective 4.1. The Government of Canada will strengthen its relationships with stakeholders to facilitate the ongoing development of effective policies and tools, and to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach; and work to improve its ability to collect, track and report on data related to human trafficking in order to enhance knowledge and the ability to act on human trafficking both at home and abroad.
Task Deliverable (and Timing) Organization
4.11
Enhance engagement and collaboration with civil society and all levels of government to support knowledge exchange, strengthen partnerships and inform policy responses.
National engagement of stakeholders via the Internet to identify priorities, delivery and engagement mechanisms. (2012/13) PS (in collaboration with Human Trafficking Taskforce)
Hold regular discussions with civil society and provinces and territories to share information on combating human trafficking, including inviting these stakeholders to present and discuss current issues on an ad-hoc basis. (2012-Ongoing) PS (in collaboration with Human Trafficking Taskforce)
Provide awareness sessions to civil society to enhance the understanding of human trafficking, strengthen relationships and possibly identify and assist victims. (Ongoing) RCMP
Promote the Contribution Program to Combat Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking to strengthen and engage partnerships with civil society and provinces and territories. (Ongoing) PS
Maximize operations of existing Letters of Understanding with provinces and Memoranda of Understanding with CIC/CBSA. Complete negotiations and sign new and revised MOUs/LOUs with provinces, territories, RCMP, Labour, CIC, and CBSA. (Ongoing) HRSDC (TFWP)
Host regional workshops, meetings and/or conference calls with provinces and territories law enforcement and victim services and NGOs to facilitate and maintain the development of networks, collaborative efforts, sharing best practices, and support the development of national and international initiatives that address human trafficking. (Ongoing) RCMP
Explore options to promote and facilitate awareness, information sharing, and cooperation on human trafficking for forced labour through established federal, provincial and territorial mechanisms and forums. (Ongoing) HRSDC (Labour Program)
Host a Knowledge Exchange Forum on Trafficking in Persons and Sexual Exploitation of Aboriginal Peoples. A literature review will be conducted, to form the basis of a policy research paper that explores Aboriginal youth sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking in persons and its relation to the broader legal and policy context. (2011/12) AANDC
With funding from Public Safety, conduct a research project in which current or previous male and female Aboriginal youth sex trade workers will be interviewed in the cities of Vancouver and Winnipeg. (2011/2012) AANDC
PS
Enhance information sharing across federal departments on domestic and international issues related to human trafficking for forced labour. (Ongoing) HRSDC (Labour Program)
4.12
Increase public diplomacy efforts and exchange of reporting between Canadian Government departments and Canadian embassies based in source countries.
Request regular human trafficking reporting, research and analysis by Canadian Missions through outreach to foreign experts in source and transit countries. (Ongoing) DFAIT
Monitor and share data on the use of Canadian passports/travel documents through partnership networks of law enforcement and border control agencies at domestic and international level to prevent traffickers from travelling.(Ongoing) PPTC
CBSA
4.13
Systematically report on official data through existing data collection systems and disseminate publicly on an annual basis.
Publish employer compliance review statistics on Temporary Foreign Worker Program website. (2013/14 - Ongoing) HRSDC (TFWP)
Provide sex-disaggregated data (where applicable) in Temporary Foreign Worker Program Labour Market Opinion Statistics Online Publication. (2013/14 - Ongoing) HRSDC (TFWP)
Provide aggregated data on requests regarding specifics to offenders and victims of human trafficking to further the understanding of the crime. (Ongoing) StatCan
Regularly release disaggregated data pertaining to Temporary Resident Permits issued to foreign national victims of human trafficking. (Ongoing) CIC
4.14
Partner with international organizations and foreign governments to increase capacity to prevent and combat human trafficking.
Through the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program support projects to build capacity in key source and transit countries to combat human trafficking. (Ongoing) DFAIT
Promote the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP) and the Global Peace and Security Fund (GPSF) to international organizations, NGOs and partner countries in order to support projects in source and transit countries that combat human trafficking with a focus on organized crime networks. (Ongoing) DFAIT
Promote Canada's domestic achievements and share best practices on combating human trafficking through participation in international fora and with multilateral organizations. (i.e., the UN, OAS, ASEAN, IOM, ILO and sub-regional mechanisms such as the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM). (Ongoing) DFAIT and others
CIC
Where possible, make human trafficking (and migrant smuggling) an area of discussion during bilateral interactions between Canada and source and transit countries - particularly in the Americas. (Ongoing) DFAIT
Use diplomatic protocols to promote regional and international partnerships, policies and capacity building to combat human trafficking and child exploitation. (Ongoing) DFAIT
Liaise with source countries (e.g., the Philippines) from which vulnerable temporary foreign workers come to Canada, to improve awareness of labour and sexual exploitation, enhance protections for vulnerable workers, and share best practices. (Ongoing) HRSDC (TFWP)
Leveraging international resources, such as Liaison Officers, the CBSA will work with like-minded international organizations to address human trafficking issues and, where resources permit and as deemed appropriate by senior officials, contribute to broader Government of Canada confidence building measures that aim to counter human trafficking activities. (Ongoing) CBSA
Engage subject matter experts in capacity building initiatives. (Ongoing) RCMP
CBSA
JUS
Include emphasis on human trafficking within the delivery of Canada's Action Plan to implement United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 on Women Peace & Security, which together call for special consideration, during and after conflict, of the differential impact of conflict on women and girls and calls on states to ensure that the rights and well-being of women and girls are integrated into peace processes and other responses to armed conflict. (2011/12) DFAIT
CIDA
PS
RCMP
JUS
Partner with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to support an expert group initiative to explore key concepts contained in the Trafficking Protocol with a view to promoting implementation of this Treaty worldwide. (2012/2013) JUS

Appendix 1:
Abbreviations

AANDC
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
APEC
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
ASEAN
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
CBSA
Canada Border Services Agency
CIC
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
CIDA
Canadian International Development Agency
CISC
Criminal Intelligence Service Canada
DFAIT
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
PPTC
Passport Canada
DND
Department of National Defence
FINTRAC
Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada
HRSDC (Labour Program)
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada - Labour Program
HRSDC (TFWP)
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada - Temporary Foreign Worker Program
ILO
International Labour Organization
IOM
International Organization for Migration
JUS
Department of Justice
OAS
Organization of American States
OSCE
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
PHAC
Public Health Agency of Canada
PPSC
Public Prosecution Service of Canada
PS
Public Safety Canada
RCMP
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
RCM
Regional Conference on Migration
StatCan
Statistics Canada
SWC
Status of Women Canada

End Notes

1 A number of studies to estimate the number of persons trafficked in a year have been undertaken, both by international organizations and national governments [ http://www.ungift.org/docs/ungift/pdf/knowledge/ebook.pdf ]. Estimates of the number of victims vary depending on the methodology employed in the studies. For instance, the International Labour Organization estimates that between 1995 and 2004, on average, each year, worldwide, at minimum, 2.45 million people are discovered to be living in a situation of having been trafficked. [ http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/-declaration/documents/publication/wcms_081882.pdf ]

2 [ http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---declaration/documents/publication/wcms_081882.pdf ]

3 The Executive Summary, including its key findings can be accessed at: [ http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ht-tp/publications/2013/proj-safekeeping-eng.htm ]

4 Note on data: The numbers are subject to change, as final data for 2011 are still being gathered. It is important to note that these data do not include the number of trafficking victims who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Furthermore, data limitations do not permit a breakdown of the number of victims of trafficking who may have chosen to pursue other immigration options, such as applying for refugee protection or permanent residence for humanitarian and compassionate reasons. Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Victims of Trafficking in Persons Case Monitoring as of April 12, 2012.

5 Private Member's Bill C-310, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons), introduced on October 3, 2011, seeks to enhance the Criminal Code trafficking provisions by clarifying the meaning of exploitation for the purpose of human trafficking and by adding an extra-territorial clause that enables the Canadian prosecution of human trafficking related offences outside of Canada.

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