ARCHIVED - Public Safety Minister Vic Toews reaffirms the Government of Canada’s commitment to the global fight against human trafficking

OTTAWA, August 30, 2011 — Public Safety Minister, Vic Toews, today reaffirmed the Government of Canada's commitment to the global fight against human trafficking. He made his comments at an event organized by Beyond Borders Inc. at a Body Shop store in Ottawa.

“Our Government is committed to the global fight against human trafficking,” said Minister Toews. “We recognize the serious nature of human trafficking and are tackling it through a multi-pronged approach: to prevent trafficking from occurring, to build partnerships, to protect victims of human trafficking and to bring its perpetrators to justice.”

The Government of Canada has made great strides in combating human trafficking with respect to criminal law responses, immigration measures and law enforcement and border training. For example the Government has:

• Enabled Immigration Officers to issue short-term temporary resident permits (TRP) to trafficking victims;
• Allocated $6 million per year to strengthen existing federal efforts to combat the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children by enhancing current enforcement responses and public awareness activities;
• Supported the creation of mandatory jail sentences for persons convicted of child trafficking;
• Launched two national awareness campaigns to better inform the public about human trafficking;
• Hosted regional, national and international roundtables aimed at preventing human trafficking; and
• Partnered with the Government of British Columbia to launch a training curriculum aimed at enhancing the ability of first responders and service providers to identify, assist and protect victims of human trafficking in British Columbia.

“To succeed in our fight against human trafficking, we can't act alone. We need strong partnerships,” said Minister Toews. “Together, we can and will help address human trafficking both domestically and around the world—we will help the victims of this terrible crime and make sure we punish the offenders. I commend Beyond the Border Inc. for the important work they are doing in advancing the rights of children everywhere to be free from sexual abuse and exploitation.”

If you have information concerning a human trafficking victim, please call the local police, or report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers at: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

For more information on Beyond Borders Inc., visit: http://www.beyondborders.org.

Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

Date modified:

2015-11-26