Canadian Policy on Human Trafficking: A Four-year Analysis1

Abstract

This article introduces readers to Canadian Government policy and practice surrounding human trafficking since the adoption of the United Nations (UN) Protocol on Trafficking in 2000. After offering an overview of the UN Protocol the article reviews and critically analyses Canadas efforts in the three key areas of the Protocol: prevention of human trafficking protection of trafficking victims and the prosecution of traffickers. Since the beginning of our research progress has been made in Canadian policy responses. The Government began by developing and implementing its tools for the prosecution of traffickers thereby responding to most of the prosecution recommendations of the UN Protocol. Different government agencies are also coordinating their efforts to implement prevention projects both in source countries and at home including awareness-raising campaigns education campaigns and policy development collaborations. However the more structural elements of prevention have yet to be adequately addressed. Finally without shifting their basic border control framework Canadian government agencies are in the process of improving the protection of trafficking victims who are intercepted in law enforcement operations or who come forward for help. These protection measures would be strengthened further if migrants rights were explicitly protected by law something that has failed to occur given recent prioritization of crime and security. The formal protection of victims as implemented to some degree in several European and American policies is introduced for comparison. The article concludes with the remaining challenges that face Canadian policy makers particularly in terms of shifting away from current focus on crime and security to the protection and promotion of the human rights of trafficking victims. (authors)