CANADIAN ACTIONS AGAINST TRAFFICKING - UPDATE TO

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000310 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR G/TIP, INL, WHA/CAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV KTIP KWMN CA SUBJECT: CANADIAN ACTIONS AGAINST TRAFFICKING - UPDATE TO TIP REPORT REF: A. OTTAWA 151 ¶B. OTTAWA 304 ¶C. TORONTO 80 ¶D. SCHRANK/FLECK 3/2 E-MAIL ¶E. OTTAWA 285 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: As of April 20, there were thirteen trafficking-related convictions in Canada in 2008-2009, with an additional twelve cases now before the courts. Ongoing investigations, including alleged cases of forced labor and trafficking of foreign victims, should lead to additional charges in the coming months. Canada also devotes significant resources to prevention strategies. Its commitment to combating human trafficking is commendable. End summary. PROSECUTION -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On April 20, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) and the Department of Justice provided updated information for the 2009 Trafficking In Persons report (ref a). Trafficking convictions in April of traffickers in Gatineau, Quebec, (ref b) and Toronto (ref c) brought the total number in 2008-2009 to 13, including five specifically for human trafficking, and eight for trafficking-related offenses. These cases involved 13 offenders and at least 21 victims. In nine cases, the offenders received prison sentences ranging from nine months to eight years. ¶3. (SBU) An additional 12 cases involving 15 accused individuals and at least 16 complainants remain before the courts. DFAIT and Justice officials predicted additional charges will result in the coming months from ongoing law enforcement investigations, some of which involve allegations of trafficking for forced labor and trafficking of foreign victims. PREVENTION -------------- ¶4. (U) On April 6, the federal government announced the first-ever grant to combat trafficking of aboriginal women and children (ref e). The government will provide C$100,000 to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to develop education and awareness programs to protect First Nations women and youth from trafficking and sexual exploitation. The grant supplements the federal government's partnership with the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) on the five-year "Sisters In Spirit" initiative (2005-2010) to prevent violence in aboriginal communities. ¶5. (SBU) The Interdepartmental Working Group of 17 federal departments and agencies has met regularly to strengthen Canada's actions against trafficking generally, as well as to coordinate specifically with British Columbia provincial authorities to prepare for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. British Columbia's Office to Combat Trafficking collaborates closely with federal law enforcement agencies. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Human Trafficking National Coordination Center and its regional coordinators across Canada continue to combat trafficking through investigations, training, and prevention efforts. Over fifty Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers posted around the world work to identify and intercept potential TIP victims as they try to head to Canada. ¶6. (SBU) Canada issued only 14 work permits to exotic dancers in 2008, down from 15 permits in 2007 and 22 permits in 2006. The Department of Citizenship and Immigration provided Canadian diplomatic missions overseas as well as permit recipients with information sheets on dancers' rights and contact numbers for support organizations in Canada. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: Canada remains seriously committed to combating human trafficking in all its manifestations, using preventive tactics whenever possible and increasing its legal prosecutions of offenders in Canada. The first-ever convictions in 2008-2009 under Criminal Code amendments Qconvictions in 2008-2009 under Criminal Code amendments passed in 2005 (Section 279.01-279.04) that specifically prohibit human trafficking are especially notable and welcome precedents. Visit Canada,s North American partnership community at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / BREESE