In this issue: CCR Trafficking Forum, upcoming Starter Tool Kit for awareness-raising on trafficking and PEI Human Trafficking Response Guide...
Issue No. 10 - September 2013
E-BULLETIN CONTENTS
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Important policy developments on trafficking
Bill C-517 Expected to Proceed to Second Reading
Bill C-517 was introduced by Member of Parliament Kelly Block (Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar) on 3 June 2013. Since prorogation of Parliament does not affect the status of private members’ bills at the House of Commons, it is expected that Bill C-517 will proceed to second reading once the House reconvenes.
This bill would amend the Criminal Code to add minimum sentences for offences involving the trafficking of persons 18 years of age or older. The bill would specifically:
Bill C-517 was introduced by Member of Parliament Kelly Block (Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar) on 3 June 2013. Since prorogation of Parliament does not affect the status of private members’ bills at the House of Commons, it is expected that Bill C-517 will proceed to second reading once the House reconvenes.
This bill would amend the Criminal Code to add minimum sentences for offences involving the trafficking of persons 18 years of age or older. The bill would specifically:
- Set a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years where offences including kidnapping, committing an aggravated assault or sexual assault against, or causing death to the person occurred while being trafficked;
- Set a mandatory minimum sentence of 4 years in all other cases.
To read the text and follow the status of Bill C-517, please visit: http://bit.ly/16EV84a.
Bill C-452 to Return to Debate at Third Reading
Bill C-452 is another private member’s bill, in this case introduced by Member of Parliament Maria Mourani (Ahuntsic) in October 2012. It passed Second Reading in March 2013 and was studied by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. The bill will return to debate at Third Reading in the House of Commons when Parliament reconvenes.
Bill C-452 would amend the Criminal Code by:
Bill C-452 to Return to Debate at Third Reading
Bill C-452 is another private member’s bill, in this case introduced by Member of Parliament Maria Mourani (Ahuntsic) in October 2012. It passed Second Reading in March 2013 and was studied by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. The bill will return to debate at Third Reading in the House of Commons when Parliament reconvenes.
Bill C-452 would amend the Criminal Code by:
- Providing consecutive sentences for offences related to procuring and trafficking in persons;
- Creating a presumption regarding the exploitation of one person by another and adding circumstances that are deemed to constitute exploitation;
- Adding the offences of procuring and trafficking in persons to the list of offences to which the forfeiture of proceeds of crime applies.
International developments
New Report on Trafficking in Persons for the Purpose of Organ Removal, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
A research paper entitled Trafficking in human beings for the purpose of organ removal in the OSCE region has been published by OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Maria Grazia Giammarinaro.
The paper is based on reports of cases in the OSCE region where formal criminal investigations have taken place, or which have been fully prosecuted. This is the first paper on the subject that is based on a qualitative analysis of actual cases. The findings confirm that many countries in the OSCE region are affected by this form of trafficking. In the report, Canada is included among the countries with nationals who have received such organs.
To download the full report, please visit: http://bit.ly/16CLdv2.
Media reports involving Canada:
Human Organ Trafficking: Canadians Should Be Barred from Buying Organs, Prosecutor Says, The Huffington Post Canada, 29 April 2013: http://huff.to/1alkIOF.
Toronto man who bought kidney abroad is key witness in transplant sale trial in Kosovo, Toronto Star, 22 January 2012: http://bit.ly/1fyvvsG.
A research paper entitled Trafficking in human beings for the purpose of organ removal in the OSCE region has been published by OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Maria Grazia Giammarinaro.
The paper is based on reports of cases in the OSCE region where formal criminal investigations have taken place, or which have been fully prosecuted. This is the first paper on the subject that is based on a qualitative analysis of actual cases. The findings confirm that many countries in the OSCE region are affected by this form of trafficking. In the report, Canada is included among the countries with nationals who have received such organs.
To download the full report, please visit: http://bit.ly/16CLdv2.
Media reports involving Canada:
Human Organ Trafficking: Canadians Should Be Barred from Buying Organs, Prosecutor Says, The Huffington Post Canada, 29 April 2013: http://huff.to/1alkIOF.
Toronto man who bought kidney abroad is key witness in transplant sale trial in Kosovo, Toronto Star, 22 January 2012: http://bit.ly/1fyvvsG.
Reports and media
Report of FCJ Refugee Centre Forum on Human Trafficking for Forced Labour
The summary report of the FCJ Refugee Centre Forum on Human Trafficking for Forced Labour: Raising Awareness and Building Response, held on 23 April 2013 in Toronto is now available online at: http://www.fcjrefugeecentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Report-on-HTForum.pdf.
The forum focused on persons trafficked internationally for the purposes of forced labour and specifically examined the programs that increase people’s vulnerabilities to labour trafficking, as well as the barriers to services and protection for those affected.
At the forum, the FCJ Refugee Centre presented a request for action, suggesting policies for protection and services tailored to meet the needs of internationally trafficked persons. The request for action was debated among participants who provided input and also developed their own recommendations.
The request for action and final recommendations are available online at: http://www.fcjrefugeecentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Request-for-Action.pdf.
Media Reports
British Columbia
Reza Moazami Lured Young Human Trafficking Victims With Drugs, Booze, Court Hears, The Huffington Post, 25 September 2013: http://huff.to/15xtiXi.
Human-trafficking trial hears woman forced to work long hours for no pay, Vancouver Sun, 17 September 2013: http://bit.ly/19u0hhn.
Promise of job, passport lured alleged human trafficking victim to Canada: court, Vancouver Sun, 13 September 2013: http://bit.ly/16tMK6p.
Human trafficking victims are often hidden from sight, Vancouver Sun, 6 September 2013: http://bit.ly/168GpBs.
B.C. court prepares for another human-trafficking trial, The Globe and Mail, 4 September 2013: http://bit.ly/17OzP5p.
Ontario
Government backs plan to fight human trafficking in York Region, CTV News, 9 September 2013: http://bit.ly/15N2CYs.
Ottawa teen who made girlfriend strip for money ‘morally deplorable,’ but not guilty of human trafficking, Ottawa Citizen, 5 September 2013: http://bit.ly/17Xt8f2.
Montreal man convicted in Ottawa’s first human trafficking case, Ottawa Citizen, 21 August 2013: http://bit.ly/12qOobz.
Aboriginal women exploited in Great Lakes sex trade, Toronto Star, 23 August 2013: http://bit.ly/178Kply.
Native Canadian women sold on U.S. ships, researcher says, CBC News, 21 August 2013: http://bit.ly/16tRGIC.
The summary report of the FCJ Refugee Centre Forum on Human Trafficking for Forced Labour: Raising Awareness and Building Response, held on 23 April 2013 in Toronto is now available online at: http://www.fcjrefugeecentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Report-on-HTForum.pdf.
The forum focused on persons trafficked internationally for the purposes of forced labour and specifically examined the programs that increase people’s vulnerabilities to labour trafficking, as well as the barriers to services and protection for those affected.
At the forum, the FCJ Refugee Centre presented a request for action, suggesting policies for protection and services tailored to meet the needs of internationally trafficked persons. The request for action was debated among participants who provided input and also developed their own recommendations.
The request for action and final recommendations are available online at: http://www.fcjrefugeecentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Request-for-Action.pdf.
Media Reports
British Columbia
Reza Moazami Lured Young Human Trafficking Victims With Drugs, Booze, Court Hears, The Huffington Post, 25 September 2013: http://huff.to/15xtiXi.
Human-trafficking trial hears woman forced to work long hours for no pay, Vancouver Sun, 17 September 2013: http://bit.ly/19u0hhn.
Promise of job, passport lured alleged human trafficking victim to Canada: court, Vancouver Sun, 13 September 2013: http://bit.ly/16tMK6p.
Human trafficking victims are often hidden from sight, Vancouver Sun, 6 September 2013: http://bit.ly/168GpBs.
B.C. court prepares for another human-trafficking trial, The Globe and Mail, 4 September 2013: http://bit.ly/17OzP5p.
Ontario
Government backs plan to fight human trafficking in York Region, CTV News, 9 September 2013: http://bit.ly/15N2CYs.
Ottawa teen who made girlfriend strip for money ‘morally deplorable,’ but not guilty of human trafficking, Ottawa Citizen, 5 September 2013: http://bit.ly/17Xt8f2.
Montreal man convicted in Ottawa’s first human trafficking case, Ottawa Citizen, 21 August 2013: http://bit.ly/12qOobz.
Aboriginal women exploited in Great Lakes sex trade, Toronto Star, 23 August 2013: http://bit.ly/178Kply.
Native Canadian women sold on U.S. ships, researcher says, CBC News, 21 August 2013: http://bit.ly/16tRGIC.
Announcements
CCR Starter Toolkit for Awareness-Raising on Trafficking in Persons – Coming Soon!
The CCR has developed a Starter Toolkit intended for organizations and individuals wishing to start or enhance existing outreach and awareness-raising activities on trafficking in persons in their own communities and among various sectors.
The Starter Toolkit builds from existing resources and includes new tools as start-up materials for groups wanting to raise awareness about trafficking. It aims to guide organizations in different sectors through their outreach and awareness-raising efforts by allowing them to build from tools that have already been developed and to avoid the duplication of work. The tool kit was developed by the CCR in collaboration with anti-trafficking groups across Canada.
The Starter Toolkit will soon be available online in English and French at: trafficking.ca.
Prince Edward Island (PEI): Human Trafficking Response Guide
The PEI Interministerial Women’s Secretariat has developed a Human Trafficking Response Guide in partnership with the PEI Provincial Human Trafficking Committee. The guide provides information for trafficked persons and for those in a position to assist survivors of trafficking. The guide includes information on how to identify a trafficked person, what steps to take and what services are available to help. A directory is also provided with contact information of support and service organizations in PEI.
The guide is available online, at: http://bit.ly/16MuMNH.
TruckSTOP Campaign Launched in Alberta and Quebec
Persons Against the Crime of Trafficking in Humans (PACT) Ottawa has partnered with both Action Coalition on human Trafficking (ACT) Alberta and the Committee of action against human trafficking national and international (CATHII) in order to raise awareness and diffuse the TruckSTOP Campaign material respectively throughout Alberta and Quebec.
The TruckSTOP Campaign is an awareness initiative developed by PACT-Ottawa that provides frequent travelers with the knowledge they need to identify suspected cases of human trafficking and alert law enforcement. Truck drivers and frequent travelers are considered to be the “eyes of the road” and the first line of defence against human trafficking. The campaign was originally launched in Ontario and offers materials such as audio CDs, wallet cards, beverage coasters and posters available free of charge.
For more information about the campaign, please see: http://www.pact-ottawa.org/truckstop.
TruckSTOP Resources are available at: http://www.pact-ottawa.org/truckstop-resources.
Upcoming Public Safety National Summary Report: Human Trafficking Stakeholder Consultations
Public Safety Canada will be publishing a summary report of the Human Trafficking Stakeholder Consultations carried out between Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 across Canada. The National Summary Report will highlight key national and regional themes, as well as findings related to:
The CCR has developed a Starter Toolkit intended for organizations and individuals wishing to start or enhance existing outreach and awareness-raising activities on trafficking in persons in their own communities and among various sectors.
The Starter Toolkit builds from existing resources and includes new tools as start-up materials for groups wanting to raise awareness about trafficking. It aims to guide organizations in different sectors through their outreach and awareness-raising efforts by allowing them to build from tools that have already been developed and to avoid the duplication of work. The tool kit was developed by the CCR in collaboration with anti-trafficking groups across Canada.
The Starter Toolkit will soon be available online in English and French at: trafficking.ca.
Prince Edward Island (PEI): Human Trafficking Response Guide
The PEI Interministerial Women’s Secretariat has developed a Human Trafficking Response Guide in partnership with the PEI Provincial Human Trafficking Committee. The guide provides information for trafficked persons and for those in a position to assist survivors of trafficking. The guide includes information on how to identify a trafficked person, what steps to take and what services are available to help. A directory is also provided with contact information of support and service organizations in PEI.
The guide is available online, at: http://bit.ly/16MuMNH.
TruckSTOP Campaign Launched in Alberta and Quebec
Persons Against the Crime of Trafficking in Humans (PACT) Ottawa has partnered with both Action Coalition on human Trafficking (ACT) Alberta and the Committee of action against human trafficking national and international (CATHII) in order to raise awareness and diffuse the TruckSTOP Campaign material respectively throughout Alberta and Quebec.
The TruckSTOP Campaign is an awareness initiative developed by PACT-Ottawa that provides frequent travelers with the knowledge they need to identify suspected cases of human trafficking and alert law enforcement. Truck drivers and frequent travelers are considered to be the “eyes of the road” and the first line of defence against human trafficking. The campaign was originally launched in Ontario and offers materials such as audio CDs, wallet cards, beverage coasters and posters available free of charge.
For more information about the campaign, please see: http://www.pact-ottawa.org/truckstop.
TruckSTOP Resources are available at: http://www.pact-ottawa.org/truckstop-resources.
Upcoming Public Safety National Summary Report: Human Trafficking Stakeholder Consultations
Public Safety Canada will be publishing a summary report of the Human Trafficking Stakeholder Consultations carried out between Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 across Canada. The National Summary Report will highlight key national and regional themes, as well as findings related to:
- Current and emerging trends;
- Efforts and initiatives, challenges, barriers and gaps;
- Future areas of focus.
For further information and to stay updated on Public Safety’s report, please visit: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/cntrng-crm/hmn-trffckng/index-eng.aspx.
Trafficking-related events
Participate in CCR National Forum on Trafficking and Workshop, 27 and 29 November 2013, Kitchener-WaterlooThe CCR is organizing a National Forum on Trafficking to take place on 27 November 2013, 9:30am - 5pm, the day before the CCR Fall Consultation 2013 in Kitchener-Waterloo. This Forum is an opportunity for non-governmental organizations and others working on trafficking issues in Canada to network and exchange information, best practices and strategies to better meet the needs of trafficked persons in Canada. The Forum will also work towards identifying policy concerns and priorities to better protect the rights of trafficked persons in Canada.
For further information, event updates and to register, please visit: http://ccrweb.ca/en/trafficking-forum-2013.
For questions, please send an email to trafficking@ccrweb.ca, or call Samanta García at (514) 277-7223, Ext. 6.
Information about the CCR Consultation (28 - 30 November) is available at: http://ccrweb.ca/en/meetings.
CATHII Lecture: Forced labour: the hidden face of human trafficking, Montreal, 3 October 2013, 1pm
CATHII will be holding its General Assembly, followed by a public lecture on forced labour and human trafficking 3 October 2013.
The lecture will examine the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers in Canada and will allow participants to better understand the dynamics of forced labour. Specific action items will also be proposed and presentations will be followed by a question and discussion period.
For more information (in French) please visit: http://cathii.org.
To confirm your attendance, please send an email to: info@cathii.org.
Training on Trafficking in Persons for Sexual Exploitation, National Police Academy of Quebec, Nicolet, 16 - 17 October 2013
The Criminal Intelligence Service Quebec is organizing a two-day training on Trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation: Learn to better intervene. The training will take place 16 and 17 October 2013 at the National Police Academy of Quebec in Nicolet.
This course is aimed at anyone involved in work on trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation.
The two-day training will be organized in the form of workshops, plenary lectures, round tables and testimonials.
For more information please contact info@srcq.gouv.qc.ca or (514) 873-9511.
Roundtable: Building Collaboration to Combat Human Trafficking in the City of Toronto, Toronto, 28 - 29 October 2013
The first of a series of roundtables concerning human trafficking in the City of Toronto will be held 28 - 29 October. This roundtable aims to facilitate dialogue between multi?sector stakeholders and to begin to develop protocols and promising practices to offer services and protection tailored to the needs of trafficked persons.
For further information about the roundtable series and to register, please visit: https://antitraffickingroundtableone.eventbrite.com.
Information about the Toronto Counter Human Trafficking Network (TCHTN) is available at: http://torontocounterhumantraffickingnet.blogspot.ca.