National Human Trafficking Awareness Day: a call to action
Why does February 22nd matter? It’s National Human Trafficking Awareness Day - a powerful reminder that the fight against human trafficking in Canada is far from over.
This day is a call to action for everyone involved in the movement to end human trafficking. It’s a time for us to raise awareness and draw attention to the pervasive issue of human trafficking in our country. It’s an opportunity to spark conversations and educate our communities how to identify and safely respond to human trafficking.
Understanding human trafficking
Human trafficking is the act of forcing, coercing, or deceiving an individual into selling sex or labour for the personal gain of another. Human trafficking is a severe violation of human rights that tears away our universal right to autonomy and self-determination.
Human trafficking involves three key elements:
Action – The act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring, or receiving persons.
Means – The use of force, fraud, coercion, deception, abuse of power, or taking advantage of a person’s vulnerability.
Purpose – The exploitation of individuals for profit, which may include forced labor, sexual exploitation, or organ removal.
For human trafficking to occur, a trafficker must take action against a victim, using methods of control, and they must have an intended purpose that benefits them. As long as one element from each category (action, means, and purpose) is present, it qualifies as trafficking. This does not mean there is only one element present in each category – it is actually quite common for there to be multiple, particularly in the means category.
It is a common misconception that human trafficking only happens overseas, or that it only affects illegal immigrants or undocumented individuals in Canada. This is FALSE. Human trafficking is happening all over our country, in both urban and rural areas. Canadian citizens are being trafficked right here in Canada every day, without ever crossing international borders.
Understanding and recognizing human trafficking is the first step towards stopping it. Educating our community about trafficking increases the number of victims and survivors who seek out our support.
Human trafficking legislation in Canada
Canada has taken several steps to combat human trafficking through legislation. The federal government is responsible for creating and enforcing laws related to trafficking, primarily through the Criminal Code of Canada and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). These laws define human trafficking, outline penalties for offenders, and provide protections for victims.
On November 25, 2005, Bill C-49 amended the Criminal Code to specifically prohibit trafficking in persons. Prior to this, there was nothing in the Criminal Code that specifically prohibited human trafficking. Other offences like kidnapping and extortion were used to target human trafficking.
Today human trafficking is explicitly criminalized under Sections 279.01 to 279.04 of the Criminal Code of Canada, which outline the following offences:
Trafficking in Persons (Section 279.01):
Criminalizes recruiting, transporting, concealing, or controlling a person for the purpose of exploitation.
Penalty: Up to life imprisonment (with mandatory minimum sentences in certain cases).
Trafficking of a Minor (Section 279.011):
Involves trafficking a person under 18 years old.
Penalty: Minimum 5 years in prison, up to life imprisonment.
Material Benefit from Trafficking (Section 279.02):
Makes it illegal to financially benefit from trafficking someone.
Penalty: Up to 10 years in prison (or a minimum 2 years if the victim is under 18).
Withholding or Destroying Documents (Section 279.03):
Criminalizes taking or hiding someone’s identification to facilitate trafficking.
Penalty: Up to 5 years in prison.
Exploitation (Section 279.04):
A person is considered exploited if they fear for their safety and believe they have no real choice but to comply.
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) is Canada’s primary legislation governing immigration and refugee matters. Enacted in 2001, IRPA establishes the legal framework for who can enter and stay in Canada, as well as the protections available for vulnerable migrants.
Section 118 of IRPA states: 118 (1) No person shall knowingly organize the coming into Canada of one or more persons by means of abduction, fraud, deception or use or threat of force or coercion.
IRPA plays an important role in addressing human trafficking in cases involving temporary foreign workers, asylum seekers, and migrants who may be at risk of exploitation.
Bill C-15: An Act Respecting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was introduced in 2020 and received Royal Assent in June 2021. This legislation affirms the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as a framework for reconciliation and embeds it into Canadian law. It recognizes Indigenous rights including protection from exploitation and trafficking, aims to address the systemic vulnerabilities Indigenous communities face, and encourages greater protections and policy changes to safeguard Indigenous women, girls, men and Two-Spirit individuals from trafficking.
Canadian Human Trafficking Awareness Day
On February 22, 2007, the House of Commons of Canada unanimously adopted a motion condemning all forms of human trafficking and slavery. This motion laid the groundwork for subsequent initiatives designed to raise awareness and combat human trafficking in Canada. Additionally, the Standing Committee on the Status of Women presented a report in February 2007 titled "Turning Outrage into Action to Address Trafficking for the Purpose of Sexual Exploitation in Canada," which further examined the issue and recommended actions to combat human trafficking.
On February 16, 2021, the All-Party Parliamentary Group to End Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking presented a motion in the House of Commons, which was unanimously adopted, officially designating February 22nd as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Canada.
How you can get involved
Attend a webinar or a training session
Register for a webinar or training session to learn more about what human trafficking is and how it happens in our communities.
ACT Alberta offers regularly scheduled training sessions for community members and service providers, as well as tailored training sessions. These sessions provide participants with the skills to accurately identify human trafficking and respond safely.
Follow organizations working to combat human trafficking
Stay informed and engaged by following organizations like ACT Alberta and the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking that are dedicated to combating human trafficking.
By following you join a growing community of advocates committed to raising awareness, supporting survivors, and advocating for change.
Share information to spread awareness
Share accurate and informative content through your social media channels and with your friends, family, and community members.
Whether it's facts about human trafficking, red flags and indicators to look out for, or resources to support survivors, your voice can help educate others and spark conversations.
By spreading awareness, you’re taking an active role in creating a safer and more informed community.
Human trafficking is a complex and deeply rooted issue, but awareness is the first step toward change. National Human Trafficking Awareness Day serves as a reminder that this crime is happening in Canada and that we all have a role to play in preventing it. By educating ourselves, sharing accurate information, and supporting organizations working to combat trafficking, we can all make a difference.