Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale. Photo Ryan McNally.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility were in Regina Wednesday morning to announce $75-million in funding and the appointment of a special advisor to combat human trafficking cases across Canada.
Shirley Cuillierrier, a retired RCMP Assistant Commisioner and member of the Mohawks of Kanesatake will be the advisor, she will offer ongoing advice and make recommendations to the government on its fight against human trafficking cases with the hope to also bring awareness to the issue domestically and around the world.
The money will be used to;
• support the development of a national case management standard, public awareness activities, training tools, new contribution funding for support services, establishing an Advisory Committee and appointing a Special Advisor;
• support the development of a national case management standard, public awareness activities, training tools, new contribution funding for support services, establishing an Advisory Committee and appointing a Special Advisor;
• Canada Border Services Agency to assess immigration enforcement processes and to establish a dedicated team of border officials to strengthen strategies;
• Women and Gender Equality Canada to develop and deliver prevention programs aimed at vulnerable populations;
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to better detect and respond to suspected cases;
• Public Services and Procurement Canada to enhance federal procurement supply chains with the goal of ensuring that they are free from human trafficking and labour exploitation; and• Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada to enhance Project PROTECT and increase capacity to produce financial intelligence on money laundering.
Human trafficking is an abhorrent crime that usually victimizes women and girls, including Indigenous and marginalized groups around the country. Crimes usually include sexual exploitation and forced labour.
“Human trafficking is a despicable crime that disproportionately affects women, girls, and the marginalized. We must put an end to human trafficking, support victims and survivors of this devastating crime and bring its perpetrators to justice. Backed by $75-million in additional investments, the new National Strategy strengthens Canada’s ability to fight this abhorrent attack on basic human rights and dignity,” Goodale said.
“As Canada’s largest purchaser of goods and services, the Government of Canada has a responsibility to procure ethically sourced goods and services. That’s why we are expanding the Code of Conduct for Procurement, with the goal of ensuring that the government is doing business with vendors whose supply chains are free from human trafficking and labour exploitation,” Qualtrough followed up with.
Cuillierrier said she’s seen human trafficking first hand through work with the RCMP and as a community advocate.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Government’s efforts to combat human trafficking, in particular as it relates to empowering victims, and I look forward to working with like-minded stakeholders,” Cuillierrier said in a news release.
In 2016 Canadian police reported 340 incidents of human trafficking.
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(Files from Ryan McNally)
