Ottawa, ON: Today, Joy Smith, Member of Parliament for Kildonan – St. Paul, released a comprehensive proposal for a National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking. The proposal contains numerous recommendations and action points aimed at providing a concrete federal response to areas of prosecution, protection, prevention, and partnerships.
“Human trafficking is an egregious crime that reaches all corners of our nation and must not be tolerated,” says MP Joy Smith. “I am convinced that a National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking is essential to address the challenges raised by human trafficking by implementing an integrated and coordinated federal response. We need a federal plan that focuses on prevention initiatives, increased prosecution, greater protection and rehabilitation for the victims, and partnerships with frontline organizations.”
On Monday, the RCMP released a national threat assessment on human trafficking which confirmed the rising incidences of domestic trafficking among young Canadian women. The annual U.S. trafficking in Persons Report has also revealed Canada to be a source, transit and destination country for many types of human trafficking, including sex trafficking, forced labour, and forced marriages.
The recommendations in the proposal for a National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking include the creation of a national rapporteur for human trafficking, increasing funding for victim aid organizations, the adoption of the Swedish model towards prostitution, a national awareness campaign and a tailored strategy to address human trafficking in First Nations communities. MP Smith’s proposal stems from consultations she has had over the past few years with law enforcement, human trafficking experts, non-governmental organizations, and victims of human trafficking.
“One of the most important parts of the National Action Plan is education and awareness. To rid our nation of this modern day slavery, it is crucial that all Canadians are aware of and able to recognize human trafficking,” urges MP Joy Smith. “That is why I was thrilled last week when the federal government announced they were launching a national awareness campaign with Crime Stoppers.”
In 2007, MP Joy Smith’s private member’s motion M-153, which urged the development of a comprehensive national plan, was unanimously passed by the Parliament of Canada, creating a strong statement. While a National Action Plan has yet to be developed, it has been called for by a number of national organizations and experts.
“Human traffickers have prospered for too long in Canada due to a lack of a coordinated response to their barbaric crimes. This proposed national action plan is an inspiring example of how Canadians can come together to more effectively root out modern-day slavery in our country,” says Benjamin Perrin, a UBC Law Professor and author of Invisible Chains: Canada’s Underground World of Human Trafficking.
MP Joy Smith is one of Canada’s leading human trafficking abolitionists and most recently succeeded in amending Canada’s Criminal Code to include an offence of trafficking in minors. Bill C-268 provides a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment for anyone convicted of trafficking a minor in Canada and a minimum of six years imprisonment for cases where there are aggravating factors. Bill C-268 attracted broad national support and received Royal Assent on June 29, 2010.
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For more information on the proposal for a National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking please contact:
Joel Oosterman, Chief of Staff
Office of Joy Smith, MP
Phone: (613) 220-6795
Email: smithj8@parl.gc.ca<mailto:smithj8@parl.gc.ca>
Recommendations for a Canadian National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking
Recommendation I – Review and amend immigration regulations and policy to provide effective counter human trafficking point of entry services.
Recommendation II – Develop and implement a tailored strategy within the National Action Plan to address trafficking of First Nations women and children.
Recommendation III – Use diplomatic protocols to promote regional and international partnerships and policies to combat human trafficking and child sexual exploitation.
Recommendation IV – Develop policies and regulations to combat forced labour and child labour abroad.
Recommendation V – Limit and monitor the international travel of convicted Canadian child sex offenders.
Recommendation VI – Creation and implementation of an extensive public awareness campaign.
Recommendation VII – Provide adequate funding for NGOs to deliver care, counselling, shelter and assistance to victims.
Recommendation VIII – Develop and implement federal policy to assist international victims of human trafficking to return to their country of origin.
Recommendation IX – Develop a National Referral Mechanism to provide rapid connection to points of service.
Recommendation X – Create an independent National Rapporteur for Human Trafficking
Recommendation XI – Review and amend Canada’s solicitation legislation.
Recommendation XII – Commit to additional resources for the training and education of judges, prosecutors and law enforcement on human trafficking legislation.
Recommendation XIII – Review and implement legislation as necessary to ensure that all forms of human trafficking are denounced under Canadian law.
Recommendation XIV – Facilitate the creation of regional human trafficking taskforces.
View the full proposal including the action points under each recommendations (PDF format), or download it from www.joysmith.ca.
