OTTAWA – The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) has released a report entitled “Human Trafficking: A Report on Modern Day Slavery in Canada.” The 30-page document reviews recent experience with human trafficking in association with major international events and recommends action that may be taken by the Canadian, British Columbia and Vancouver governments in preparation for the 2010 Olympic Games and beyond.

If past history of major world events is any indicator, the Vancouver Olympics could result in the increased exploitation of vulnerable men, women and children if solid policies and legislation to prevent trafficking and protect its victims are not put in place in a timely fashion.

Trafficking in persons is not migrant smuggling. Smuggled migrants are usually free once they arrive at their destination; trafficking victims are not. The UN estimates that up to one million people are trafficked throughout the world each year. While anyone can be a victim, women and children are reportedly the primary victims.

Identifying victims of trafficking can be difficult. Those involved in prostitution may appear to be willing participants. Victims may be too terrified to contact the police. Victims may not be able to ask for help because many may not speak either English or French. Traffickers often control their victims by threatening to harm them or their families in their countries of origin should victims attempt to flee or contact authorities in Canada.

Human trafficking is the third largest criminal industry in the world, outranked only by arms and drug dealing. The United Nations estimates that trafficking in persons generates $7 to $10 billion annually for traffickers.

Jocelyn Durston, International Policy Analyst for the EFC, notes: “Canada is a signatory to the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons and has taken some good early steps to deal with the issue in our country. But we could be setting ourselves up to become a country of choice for traffickers, because our laws and procedures are lagging behind other Western nations. Given the history at recent Olympic Games, soccer World Cups and other international events, Canada will have to move quickly to better prepare ourselves to address the tragedy of human trafficking before the Games start Feb. 12, 2010.”

--www.evangelicalfellowship.ca.