Human trafficking victims/survivors are negatively impacted when their circumstances are not considered during the policy development process. Survivors often face unique barriers to social services that are not obvious to decision-makers. Addressing these challenges will require a “human trafficking lens” that is applied when developing public policy.
The Centre’s briefs intend to put human trafficking survivors at the forefront of Canada’s public policy discussions. Our recommendations were informed through engagement with stakeholders across the country, including survivors, service providers, academics, and various levels of government. Together, the briefs offer practical solutions to prevent trafficking, support victims/survivors, inform Canadians, and hold traffickers to account.
• Government of Alberta Pre-Budget Consultation Submission – September 13, 2023
*Submitted jointly with ACT Alberta, the Rural Development Network, and the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services.
• Government of Canada Pre-Budget Consultation Submission – September 13, 2023
• Government of Ontario Pre-Budget Consultation Submission – September 13, 2023
• Government of Nova Scotia Policy Brief Submission – July 4, 2024
*Submitted jointly with Bryony House, ElevateHER Mental Health Support Services Canada, Elizabeth Fry Society Mainland Nova Scotia, Peer Outreach Support Services & Education, Cape Breton Transition House Association, Trauma Recovery for Exploited Youth, and Truro Housing Outreach Society.
• Government of Saskatchewan Policy Brief Submission – July 4, 2024
*Submitted jointly with Hope Restored Canada, Regina & Area Sexual Assault Centre, Regina Transition House, Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda, Saskatchewan Landlord Association, and Sofia House.
Canadian immigration and labour policy has created an environment that facilitates the exploitation and trafficking of migrant workers. The is particularly true for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
The following policy briefs offer recommendations for improving immigration and labour policy, including program changes, new labour protections, and increased access to social supports for all workers.
• Government of Canada Policy Brief Submission – October 6, 2023
*Submitted jointly with Covenant House Vancouver, Dignidade Migrante, and FCJ Refugee Centre.
• Government of Ontario Pre-Budget Consultation Submission – October 4, 2023
The international student population has increased dramatically in Canada over the past two decades. However, key safeguards (e.g., program oversight, accountability measures, and services and supports for students) have not kept pace. As a result, international students have become more vulnerable to labour exploitation and human trafficking.
The following letter identifies policy gaps and proposed solutions related to international education and immigration programs for students.
• Government of Canada Pre-Budget Consultation Submission – September 13, 2023
The National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking (2019-2024) outlined the Government of Canada’s plan to address human trafficking through a whole-of-government approach. The Strategy focuses the governments efforts on empowerment, prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships.
In May 2023, the Centre sent the following letter to the Public Safety Minister with recommendations on how the government can improve the next version of the National Strategy.
• Recommendations for the Next Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking – May 31, 2023
![Recommendations to prevent exploitation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup](https://www.canadiancentretoendhumantrafficking.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FIFA-2026.png")
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching and has the potential to bring significant economic, cultural and community benefits to Canada. At the same time, large events create opportunities for exploitation and abuse. Recent history suggests that labour trafficking and workplace exploitation is common as countries build infrastructure they need to host the games. Over the past decade the news media has reported that World Cup host countries – including Qatar, Russia, and Brazil – have used trafficked and exploited workers to complete major infrastructure projects tied to the tournament.
On October 12, 2023, The Centre – along with our counterparts, Polaris and Consejo – presented to a Tri-lateral Working Group meeting of Canadian, American and Mexican government officials. The objective was to inform collaborative measures to prevent exploitation from taking place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Recommendations to prevent exploitation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup – March 2024
• Recommandations pour prévenir l’exploitation lors de la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA 2026 – Mars 2024