Canada's National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking (2019-2024) – FCJ Refugee Center

June 10, 2024

Dear Prime Minister, dear Minister of Public Security,

Cc: Dear Minister of Women, Gender Equality and Youth, Dear Minister of Immigration, Dear Minister of Employment and Workforce Development, Dear Associate Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development

Background

The Toronto Counter Human Trafficking Network (TCHTN) is a collaborative coalition of government and non-government organizations, agencies and individuals whose mandate is to provide a comprehensive response to human trafficking in the Toronto region. These partners are committed to working to eradicate human trafficking, while facilitating services and protection for trafficked persons through a holistic approach rooted in human rights and the unique needs of each individual.

As a diverse and growing network of more than 30 organizations, our members provide diverse supports and services to victims and survivors of human trafficking/exploitation, as well as programs in upstream prevention, advocacy, research, education and much more. Through their work, our members fight different forms of human trafficking, including domestic and international sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and forced marriage.

Many members of our network participated in Public Safety Canada's regional and national consultations on human trafficking in 2018, prior to the launch of the National Strategy, and we are currently gathering information on the status and future of the Strategy as she finishes her senior year. We understand that an evaluation of the strategy will be published in summer 2024, which we look forward to analyzing when it becomes available. We look forward to understanding if/how the various deliverables of the Strategy have been implemented and what future funding opportunities exist for community organizations, including those not currently funded by Public Safety Canada.

Ongoing consultations

Regarding the renewal of the National Strategy and future plans, we emphasize the importance of ongoing consultations with service providers, local organizations, Indigenous groups, advocates, survivors, children and youth, as well as other community stakeholders such as those from the Toronto Counter Human Trafficking Network. , and that these consultations adopt an intersectional and holistic approach. We also highlight the importance of consulting with organizations that have not been funded by Public Safety Canada, despite implementing much of the work outlined in the Strategy.

In addition to ongoing consultations with community organizations, it is crucial to implement, maintain and fund a Survivor Advisory Table composed of members representing all forms of human trafficking, as each form is unique. Survivors must be meaningfully and continuously engaged and consulted at every stage of the work. Counseling should always take into account each survivor's need for safety and privacy and should be approached from a trauma and violence-informed perspective. Feedback and recommendations from survivors are invaluable and should be treated with the same respect and respect as other experts in the anti-trafficking field. They are actually the real experts. With this in mind, we also believe that survivors should be fairly compensated for the time and expertise they devote to their role as advisors. Indeed, survivors must be treated as equal partners in all aspects of this work.

Use existing work and studies

In the future, it is also crucial that the government takes into account the numerous studies and reports already published, such as 2023 Study of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women on Trafficking in Persons, Women, Girls and Gender Diverse People, THE United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slaveryreport on its 2023 study of Canada (which our Network members helped organize and participated in), the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and others. Taking into account the many recommendations that already exist will ensure that Public Safety Canada respects the previous efforts of community organizations, survivors and Indigenous communities, and that processes avoid duplication of work and remain as efficient as possible.

Mitigate Risk

We believe that Canada must renew its commitment to combating human trafficking and implement an ongoing national, whole-of-government strategy to combat human trafficking, given the prevalence of trafficking not only in inner cities, but in all the countries. This is particularly crucial when it comes to preventative strategies to mitigate labor and sexual exploitation risks arising from Canada's upcoming financial commitments, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place in Toronto and Vancouver. . We also believe that any policy reforms essential to mitigating the risk of exploitation, such as the overhaul of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, should be part of a broader consultation with the anti-human trafficking sector across the country and should be informed. through lived experience.

We firmly believe that with a collaborative approach that values ​​community and grassroots input, and by working more closely together, we can make significant progress in eradicating human trafficking and strengthening our communities while by building a more just and equitable society.

We look forward to continuing this conversation with Public Safety Canada and other government stakeholders in the months to come.

Sincerely,

Aura International Freedom
Canadian Center to End Human Trafficking
Canadian Center for Victims of Torture
Carolyn Luscombe-Coordinator – Victim Services – Métis Nation of Ontario
FCJ Refugee Center
Mary Ward Center
A child
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