Fact Sheet

September 2009

Trafficking in Persons

What is trafficking in persons?

Trafficking in persons is a serious crime that involves the recruitment, transportation or harbouring of persons for the purposes of exploitation (typically in the sex industry or for forced labour). Trafficking may occur across or within borders and traffickers range from individuals motivated by profit to criminal gangs and, at the highest level, extensive organized crime networks. Trafficking in persons violates the most basic human rights of its victims and it is a criminal offence under the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) recognizes that not all victims of trafficking in persons are entering Canada illegally or are aware that they are a victim.

The CBSA's commitment to fighting trafficking in persons

The CBSA helps fight this criminal activity by detecting and preventing trafficking operations and associated activities, and the transport of victims to Canada. It also provides assistance to foreign governments and international transportation industry partners with the common goal of deterring trafficking organizations from using Canada as a destination or transit country. In addition, the CBSA helps in the investigation and prosecution of trafficking offenders and works with key partner agencies in Canada – such as Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the RCMP, local police agencies and non-governmental organizations – to ensure that victims are provided with the necessary referrals and assistance.

Outside Canada, the CBSA has a network of migration integrity officers who work overseas with airline security and local authorities to prevent migrant smuggling and trafficking by identifying individuals who may be involved in trafficking activities before they arrive in Canada.

If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA's Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.

For more information, please visit the CBSA's Web site.