Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre (Details)

Name of province/ territory:

Ontario

City/ Region:

Canada

Description of Initiative:

The Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre's (HTNCC) role is to provide a focal point for law enforcement efforts to combat and disrupt individuals and criminal organizations involved in human trafficking activities. Its mandate is to develop and coordinate human trafficking activities/initiatives—related to the four pillars of prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership—with domestic and international partner agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the community at large.

Initiative Key Objectives:

In order to accomplish its mandate, the HTNCC has six main priorities:

  • develop tools, protocols and guidelines to facilitate human trafficking investigations;
  • coordinate national awareness/training and anti-trafficking initiatives;
  • identify and maintain lines of communication;
  • identify issues for integrated coordination and provide support;
  • develop and maintain international partnerships and coordinate international initiatives; and
  • coordinate intelligence and facilitate the dissemination of all sources of information/intelligence to operational units across the country, promoting the advancement of intelligence in support of law enforcement.

Section Responsible for Implementation:

Federal Policing

Key Contact:

Ariane Corey
htncc-cnctp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Groups/ Agencies/ Key Partners Involved:

  • community groups
  • other police services
  • other government departments/agencies

Level of Involvement (consultative - information sharing) and/or cooperative - direct involvement):

N/A

Amount of Time Initiative has been in Place:

This initiative was started in September 2005.

Reason for Undertaking the Initiative:

The initiative was launched in response to the growing problems associated with human trafficking. It was also identified as an issue by the Government of Canada.

Resources Required to Implement this Initiative:

Initial start-up costs included expenses related to new employees.

Method of Implementation:

This initiative was launched in 2005 and has been operating since that time.

Key Outcomes of the Initiative:

Human trafficking cases are investigated by the police force of jurisdiction. However, when legislation specific to human trafficking was first put into the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Criminal Code, very few law enforcement officers were knowledgeable about this specific crime. Therefore, the HTNCC undertook to serve as a national "centre of excellence" focal point for law enforcement organizations in their efforts to combat human trafficking.

One of its initiatives was to provide awareness and training to both law enforcement and the public. There is also no national database for human trafficking; however this information is critical in determining the extent and scope of this crime in Canada. Therefore, in addition to developing tools to assist law enforcement and providing awareness and training, the HTNCC undertook to gather intelligence from law enforcement agencies across the country on their human trafficking investigations. This information is used to create a more complete picture of what is being investigated specific to human trafficking.

Since 2006, the HTNCC and its human trafficking awareness coordinators have provided training and/or awareness sessions to over 54,000 people in law enforcement, government, NGOs, and the public across Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has also distributed over 17,800 Human Trafficking Awareness Tool Kits, as well as additional human trafficking awareness material.

The HTNCC produces a quarterly Fast Facts newsletter which is distributed electronically to law enforcement, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and the public across Canada. The HTNCC plays an integral role on the Government of Canada's Human Trafficking Task Force.

The HTNCC continues to gather intelligence and is regularly asked to report to government and other agencies on the scope of human trafficking in Canada. With increased awareness and training, there has been an increase in the number of human trafficking investigations across the country. Efforts are underway to develop a more complete picture through enhanced data collection and database management.

Availability of a Communication Strategy:

Yes

Key Messages used to Publicize the Initiative:

The HTNCC works with RCMP Communications to develop communication strategies specific to various initiatives. Overall key messages include the following:

  • In September 2005, the RCMP established a Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre (HTNCC) within the Immigration and Passport Branch at Headquarters in Ottawa.
  • The HTNCC’s role is to provide a focal point for law enforcement in its efforts to combat and disrupt individual and criminal organizations involved in human trafficking activities.
  • Its mandate is to develop and coordinate anti-human-trafficking activities/initiatives related to the four pillars of prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership with domestic and international agencies, NGOs and the community at large.
  • Human trafficking is a global problem that requires both domestic and international solutions. The RCMP works closely with its domestic and international partners to gather and share information for the detection and investigation of human trafficking offences.
  • To date, training and awareness sessions were delivered by the HTNCC and human trafficking awareness coordinators to more than 54,000 law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, government agencies, NGOs and members of the public across Canada.
  • To date, more than 17,800 Human Trafficking Awareness Tool Kits, which include the Crime Stoppers tip-line phone number, were distributed by the HTNCC and human trafficking awareness coordinators to law enforcement agencies in Canada, government and non-government organizations, and the public, including Aboriginal communities.

Forms of Evaluation by which the Initiative will be Assessed:

  • See "Summary of the Outcomes".

Evaluation Completed or Community Feedback Received:

No

Summary of the Outcomes:

The HTNCC collects data on how much of its awareness material is disseminated and how many awareness training sessions are provided by the HTNCC and regional human trafficking awareness coordinators. The HTNCC is continually contacted with requests for material and awareness/training sessions. The HTNCC is also regularly contacted by law enforcement in Canada for guidance/suggestions/input on human trafficking investigations. The HTNCC tracks the requests it receives for human trafficking assessments.

Summary of the Performance Measure Data Collected:

N/A

Economics of Policing Pillars:

Further Details:

N/A

Additional Comments or Suggestions:

The HTNCC usually works only with other law enforcement bodies with regard to efforts to combat human trafficking; however, the HTNCC consults with law enforcement groups as well as other groups as required in the development of its awareness materials, tools and reports. In addition, the HTNCC, in partnership with the Ottawa Police Service, hosted the first national human trafficking conference (in 2011) since the addition of human trafficking laws to the Criminal Code in 2005. The conference was a huge success in bringing together approximately 300 participants from across the country (law enforcement, government and non-government organizations, victim services and prosecutors).

Record Entry Date:

2015-03-01

Date modified: