How international students in Canada are susceptible to human trafficking

Canada is a popular destination for international students. By the end of 2023, there were over 1 million international students in Canada, compared to 301,545 students in 2013. While some of these students thrive in their new environment, many face challenges such as language barriers, cultural isolation, and financial strain. Coupled with a lack of familiar support networks, these challenges can leave students vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and human trafficking. 

What makes international students more vulnerable to exploitation? 

There are several different factors that contribute to the vulnerability of international students to exploitation.  

Financial pressure 

Many international students face tremendous financial pressure due to high tuition costs, living expenses, and limited access to scholarships and funding. International undergraduate students pay an average of $38,081 in tuition fees, compared to domestic undergraduate students, who pay an average of $7,076 in fees (2023/2024, Statistics Canada).  

These financial burdens may compel students to seek employment even in precarious positions, such as in low-wage sectors like hospitality, cleaning, and construction. Instances of labour trafficking are known to be higher in these sectors. This issue is exacerbated by the current cost-of-living crisis, with the cost of rent, food, and other daily expenses for students skyrocketing. Traffickers exploit this kind of desperation by offering seemingly legitimate job opportunities that turn out to be exploitative. 

Lack of support networks 

Most international students are studying far away from their families, friends, and communities. This physical separation means they no longer have access to the immediate support they might rely on back home, such as family members or friends who can help with daily challenges or offer guidance in difficult situations. Additionally, adjusting to a new environment with a different language and culture can be very difficult, making it harder to form connections with peers or seek help when needed. Traffickers may exploit this lack of support network by leveraging a student’s isolation and creating a sense of dependency that traps them in exploitative situations. 

Limited familiarity with local resources and laws 

International students often arrive in Canada with limited understanding of their rights and the resources available to them. An unfamiliarity with Canadian labour laws and regulations, combined with language barriers, can make it difficult to recognize and report trafficking situations. 

Immigration status 

An international student’s immigration status is often tied to their educational institution. Traffickers know this and may exploit the dependency by threatening to jeopardize a student’s status in Canada if they do not comply with the traffickers demands. A fear of losing their legal status in the country often prevents people from seeking help or reporting an abusive situation. 

The role of educational institutions 

Educational institutions play a critical role in protecting their students from exploitation and human trafficking. Education empowers and saves lives. Implementing education programs in colleges and universities is a critical step in reducing the risk of exploitation. Teaching students about their rights in Canada, what resources are available to them, and how to identify and safely respond to potential situations of exploitation, abuse and trafficking can help prevent an exploitative situation from happening in the first place. These efforts can be further enhanced by partnering with organizations like ACT Alberta and other NGOs that specialize in offering education about human trafficking and exploitation.  

Institutions should ensure they have established easily accessible and confidential support services for students, as well as clear reporting mechanisms should a student be interested in reporting an incident. Providing employment support and financial literacy training can also help reduce the financial pressures that make students targets for traffickers. 

International students contribute significantly to Canada's cultural and economic landscape. However, the challenges faced by many of these students make them uniquely vulnerable to exploitation and human trafficking. Addressing this issue requires a collaborative effort between educational institutions, governments, and community members. By raising awareness about this issue, providing stronger support services, and educating incoming students, we can help ensure that international students in Canada are better protected from exploitation. 

Everyone deserves to feel safe and supported in their pursuit of higher education and a brighter future.