The Canadian government’s recent announcement of a $1.3 billion border security plan includes a measure to expand the sharing of police data on sex offenders, seemingly addressing a U.S. request for enhanced cooperation in combating cross-border sex trafficking. The plan proposes amending the Sex Offender Information Registration Act to allow the RCMP to share information about “high-risk travellers” with domestic and international partners. This amendment aims to overcome what U.S. Ambassador to Canada, David Cohen, has described as a “real barrier to full cooperation” due to Canada’s stricter privacy regulations surrounding sex offender information. While this measure addresses cross-border concerns, advocates argue that the focus should be on improving domestic collaboration and data sharing between Canadian police forces to combat sex trafficking within the country, where the majority of victims are Canadian women and girls.
The current Canadian law restricts access to the National Sex Offender Registry to police for limited investigative purposes within Canada. This stands in stark contrast to the U.S., where such data is publicly accessible and readily shared between various law enforcement agencies. Ambassador Cohen explicitly stated that Canada’s privacy laws hinder cooperation and, in effect, protect sex traffickers, prompting the proposed legislative changes. The proposed amendment aligns with ongoing negotiations between Canada and the U.S. under the U.S. CLOUD Act, aiming to facilitate cross-border data sharing between law enforcement agencies in both countries. However, the amendment’s future remains uncertain due to recent political developments, including the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, which has cast a shadow on the government’s overall agenda.
Advocates like Julia Drydyk, executive director of the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking (CCEHT), emphasize that while cross-border sex trafficking exists, the primary issue lies within Canada. She points to a “profound failure” of the Canadian justice system in supporting sex trafficking survivors and calls for greater collaboration and data sharing between domestic police forces. Drydyk highlights the siloed nature of Canadian police forces, hindering effective tracking of victims and perpetrators moving across provincial and territorial lines. Successful intra-jurisdictional police units in Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia demonstrate the potential for progress with adequate resources and a shift in operational approach, suggesting that legal changes are not the primary obstacle. The CCEHT stresses the need for increased resource allocation and inter-agency cooperation to address this predominantly domestic problem effectively.
The CCEHT’s Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline, which received over 12,000 calls between 2019 and 2022, identified approximately 1,500 human trafficking cases, with 69% involving sex trafficking. These figures underscore the scope of the problem within Canada. The majority of victims seeking help through the hotline require basic necessities like shelter, assistance navigating social services, and access to mental health support. This highlights a significant gap in victim services and protections, corroborating observations made in the U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report, which, while acknowledging Canada meeting minimum standards, points to inadequacies in victim support. Drydyk argues that traffickers exploit these gaps in the social safety net, targeting vulnerable individuals facing homelessness, poverty, and substance abuse, further compounding their challenges in accessing support.
Addressing this complex issue, Drydyk emphasizes the importance of a survivor-informed approach. She argues that consultations with victims should be prioritized over focusing solely on concerns raised by U.S. officials. An evidence-based strategy combined with survivor input is crucial for developing effective solutions. While international cooperation is important, Drydyk highlights the urgency of addressing the domestic issue and centering the needs of Canadian victims. The government’s focus should be on providing adequate support and resources to address the root causes of vulnerability and empowering survivors to rebuild their lives.
In conclusion, the proposed amendments to Canada’s sex offender registry represent a step towards improved cross-border collaboration on sex trafficking. However, advocates stress the need to prioritize domestic collaboration and data sharing among Canadian police forces to effectively combat the prevalent issue of sex trafficking within the country. The focus should shift towards bolstering victim support services and adopting a survivor-informed approach to address the vulnerabilities exploited by traffickers. By focusing on internal challenges and collaborating effectively with survivors, Canada can develop more comprehensive and effective strategies to combat human trafficking and support its victims. The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline remains a crucial resource for individuals seeking help and underscores the ongoing need to address this pressing issue.
