Actions to Combat Human Trafficking

Leave quickly

Leave quickly

On this page:

Canada's National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking

The National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking (National Strategy) is a whole-of-government plan to address human trafficking. It guides Canada's work to:

The National Strategy is adaptable and builds on existing federal efforts. Key measures include:

Federal anti-human trafficking efforts are being undertaken by numerous federal departments and agencies, including:

Federal Government Approach to Date

Canada was one of the first countries to ratify the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. This Protocol guides federal anti-human trafficking efforts to:

The Government of Canada's National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking (2012-2016) brought together the federal government's efforts to combat human trafficking. It introduced new initiatives to prevent the crime, identify victims, protect people most at risk, and prosecute offenders. A Human Trafficking Taskforce, led by Public Safety Canada and comprised of key departments, was responsible for overseeing the implementation of the National Action Plan, coordinating the federal response and reporting annually on progress.

The 2016-2017 Horizontal Evaluation of the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking concluded that human trafficking continues to occur in Canada and that a coordinated national approach to this crime is still required.

In September and October of 2018, Public Safety Canada led a series of national consultations, guided by a discussion paper, that brought together over 200 stakeholders in order to inform the Government of Canada's way forward to end human trafficking.

In 2018, the Government of Canada invested $14.51 million over five years and $2.89 million ongoing to put in place the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline. The Hotline helps victims and survivors of human trafficking easily access the services they need. It launched on May 29, 2019, and was the first of its kind in Canada.

In 2019, the Government of Canada announced the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking. The National Strategy was built on Canada's existing federal efforts to combat human trafficking and supports broader commitments, including preventing and addressing gender-based violence, and supporting the safety and security of Indigenous peoples.

In 2019, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness appointed an interim Special Advisor to Combat Human Trafficking, Shirley Cuillierrier, to provide advice and recommendations to the Government of Canada on anti-human trafficking efforts, raise awareness on the issue both domestically and internationally, and share best practices.

In 2021, Public Safety Canada launched a national public education campaign to raise awareness about the warning signs of human trafficking and how to safely report suspected cases. The campaign targets the Canadian public, with a focus on youth, parents, and at-risk populations.

The 2019-2023 Horizontal Evaluation of the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking identified progress made towards preventing human trafficking across the National Strategy. It confirmed there is a continued need for the Strategy to prevent human trafficking, increase general awareness, support victims and survivors, and improve Canadian law enforcement's ability to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators.

In Summer 2024, Public Safety Canada announced the development of the next iteration of the National Strategy and began a series of targeted national and international consultations with victims and survivors, partners, provinces and territories, and frontline practitioners.

In January 2025, the Government of Canada appointed Jennifer Richardson as Chief Advisor to Combat Human Trafficking. She served in this role until April 2026.

Canada's International Obligations, Commitments and Engagement

Canada's approach to human trafficking is guided by its international obligations under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Canada ratified the Convention and the Protocol in 2002.

Canada also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). T rafficking in persons is directly mentioned in targets 5.2, 8.7, and 16 of the SDGs. T arget 8.7 calls for immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers. Canada also supports the Global Compact for Migration, which includes an objective to prevent, combat, and eradicate trafficking in persons.

Canada is active in international efforts to counter human trafficking. Canada promotes the accession to and implementation of international legal instruments, and shares best practices, experiences and lessons learned through its participation in regional and multilateral processes such as:

Date modified: