Trafficking in Persons: Background Paper, by Laura Barnett, Library of Parliament, March 2011

This paper explains trafficking in persons; it highlights the international and Canadian legal frameworks on trafficking and sheds light on some of the gaps present in Canada’s anti-trafficking laws and policies. These gaps concern:

• Access to protection for trafficked persons: social and support services available to trafficked persons vary depending on each province/territory and do not always apply to trafficked persons;
• A need for national coordination on trafficking;
• An overly general definition of trafficking in persons.

Link to document

 

Acting against Human Trafficking: a Reflection, Comité d’action contre la traite humaine interne et internationale (CATHII), December 2010

This paper provides a summary of three key documents that were prepared to promote national action against trafficking in persons in Canada:

• “An Exploration of Promising Practices in Response to Human Trafficking in Canada”, a report requested by the government of the province of Manitoba in 2010;
• “Connecting the Dots”, a proposal presented by Joy Smith, Member of Parliament for Kildonan-St-Paul, recommending measures required in a national action plan to combat trafficking in persons, published before the NAP was developed;
•  “Invisible Chains”, by researcher and jurist Benjamin Perrin, which analyzes the issue of trafficking in persons in Canada and abroad.

The summary outlines different perspectives on emerging trends and needs in Canada’s anti-trafficking efforts. The themes that unite all documents, albeit through different approaches, include the need to:

• Implement a national action plan and establish a national coordination centre;
• Create measures that do not criminalize or penalize trafficked persons and focus on demand;
• Address the needs of First Nations women and children who are over-represented among trafficked persons in Canada;
• Grant more attention to immigration and international trafficking;
• Focus on trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, including the situation and vulnerability of domestic workers and temporary foreign workers.

Link to document

 

US Department of State Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report

The US Trafficking in Persons Report is a yearly report that summarizes and analyzes each country’s response to trafficking. It evaluates the extent to which countries comply with the U.S. Department of State’s minimum standards to protect trafficked persons and to prevent and prosecute trafficking in persons nationally and internationally. Canada is always featured in the yearly report with a focus on its prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership efforts.

Link to website

 

 

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