Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Canada’s Approach

Trafficking in Persons The Government of Canada unequivocally condemns this activity and continues to take steps to address it. Canada strongly supports the United Nations’ Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Consistent with international best practices, federal anti-trafficking efforts are guided by the 4Ps approach: prevention of trafficking, protection of victims, prosecution of offenders, and working in partnership in Canada and internationally.

Canada’s Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons … Federal Level: Trafficking in persons is a criminal offence under both the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Federal anti-trafficking efforts are coordinated by the Interdepartmental Working Group on Trafficking in Persons (IWGTIP). The IWGTIP is chaired by the Department of Justice and the Department of Public Safety and includes 17 departments and agencies, including Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The federal government’s role includes a focus on criminal law, as set out in the Criminal Code of Canada and related criminal statues.

… Canada’s Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons … Provincial and Territorial Level: The protection of victims is a shared responsibility between the federal and provincial / territorial governments Numerous programs and services are available in Canada to victims of trafficking in persons. Services offered vary depending on the location and are administered separately by each province and territory. Civil society organizations also provide related social services.

… Canada’s Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons International Level: Canada strives to exercise international leadership in combating trafficking in persons, including by sponsoring projects in Latin America and the Caribbean to prevent human trafficking and raise awareness. Canada provides CDN$ 2.45 million in contributions to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to support the implementation of international legal instruments covering organized crime, trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling.

Role of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Treats victims of trafficking as victims of a crime and not as criminals themselves. Helps protect victims of trafficking in persons by securing their immigration status through the issuance of a short-term temporary resident permit (TRP). Provides a period of reflection for victims to consider their options, No requirement to cooperate with law enforcement, Permission to work, Access to Interim Federal Health Program. Distributes to temporary foreign workers information that outlines labour standards and workers’ basic rights in Canada. 6 6

Role of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Screens and intercept inadmissible individuals before they arrive in Canada, and publish regular intelligence analyses. Helps deter trafficking organizations from using Canada as a destination country or as a transit country. Specialized immigration training on passport and document fraud; intelligence collection and reporting; identification of inadmissible persons and threats to national security; and detection of migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons.

Role of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Provides law enforcement training on trafficking in persons biannually to RCMP members as well as agencies outside of the RCMP. Facilitates human trafficking investigations, coordinate intelligence amongst law enforcement, develop national and international partnerships on trafficking in persons, and organize regional workshops across Canada. Develops and distribute anti-trafficking tool kits to police services across Canada as part of the new National Awareness Campaign.

Special Provisions for Child Victims of Trafficking in Persons … Federal Level: New guidelines were introduced in April 2008 that recognize the necessity of special provisions for child victims of trafficking. In line with the principle of the best interests of the child, CIC and CBSA Officers at ports of entry are provided with specialized training to identify and protect missing and abducted children. CIC and CBSA Officers take action to ensure that child victims remain safe, are separated from the control and custody of the possible trafficker, and receive police protection.

… Special Provisions for Child Victims of Trafficking in Persons Provincial and Territorial Level: The provinces and territories are responsible for the provision of socio-legal services geared towards children. All provinces and territories have child protection laws and agencies responsible for assisting children in need. Where appropriate, each jurisdiction works collaboratively to assist the other in meeting and enhancing the policies and programs relating to children.

2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Canada is building on the experiences and strategies of other countries that have hosted major sporting events to prepare for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Federal officials of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Trafficking in Persons are collaborating with provincial counterparts in British Columbia, including: Vancouver Police Department RCMP’s B.C. Border Integrity Program Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Games B.C. Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons

Conclusions The Government of Canada will continue to pursue a range of measures, including targeted prevention and awareness initiatives, training, and the development of clear protocols for responding to the needs of victims. Federal departments, through the Interdepartmental Working Group on Trafficking in Persons, will also continue to collaborate with their provincial and territorial counterparts to ensure a coordinated response for foreign victims of trafficking in persons. Will also look to learn from the efforts of Canada’s international partners in order to further the provisions of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.