Assertion from the Minister of Public Safety on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

July 30, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, issued the next assertion:

“Today, on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Canada stands with international locations throughout the globe in taking motion in opposition to probably the most appalling and quickly evolving types of organized crime: human trafficking.

The 2025 theme, “Human trafficking is an organized crime,” highlights the crucial position of regulation enforcement and the felony justice system in dismantling trafficking networks, whereas prioritizing a victim-centred strategy.

This 12 months’s theme comes at a time when the position of organized felony networks in human trafficking and different types of unlawful smuggling is prime of thoughts for our authorities. We know that human trafficking is usually deeply intertwined with organized felony networks that exploit folks not only for revenue, however as instruments to hold out a spread of felony actions.

Through our $1.3-billion Border Plan and the strengthened provisions proposed in our Strong Borders Act, we’re taking concrete motion to focus on the broader felony infrastructure that permits and earnings from this exploitation.The Government has dedicated to creating bail tougher to get for repeat offenders charged with critical crimes, together with human trafficking.

At the identical time, we’re additionally renewing the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, knowledgeable by in depth engagement with Survivors, Indigenous Peoples, regulation enforcement, front-line service suppliers, and civil society. I invite you to learn our National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking 2023-2025 Report to be taught extra.

To information this work, Jennifer Richardson has been appointed as Chief Advisor to Combat Human Trafficking, providing strategic recommendation and elevating consciousness each at dwelling and overseas. I encourage you to learn her statement, which outlines her imaginative and prescient for strengthening Canada’s response.

Through our nationwide public schooling marketing campaign, we proceed to coach Canadians  on the indicators of human trafficking and the best way to safely report suspected circumstances.

To each Survivor, your voice issues. On at the present time of consciousness, we hear you, we stand with you, and we stay dedicated to constructing a safer society the place everybody can stay free from exploitation.”