The Issue in Canada
What protection is available in Canada?
A trafficked person may claim refugee status if they fear persecution or torture upon return to their country. But not every trafficked person is a refugee. And there may be some for whom it would be extremely difficult to prove refugee status. A trafficked person might also apply to remain in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
In the past, some trafficked persons caught up in police sweeps of brothels and found without legal status in Canada were simply deported. In May 2006, the Minister of Citizenship & Immigration announced new guidelines. Immigration officers are now able to issue a temporary residence permit to a person they believe to be trafficked. This is a positive development, since deportation may put the trafficked person in grave danger and undermine police efforts to prosecute traffickers.
We are still working to entrench this protection in law and to secure necessary services for trafficked persons. Protection of the rights and dignity of the trafficked person is the reason why PACT-Ottawa is networking and seeking your support.
A trafficked person may claim refugee status if they fear persecution or torture upon return to their country. But not every trafficked person is a refugee. And there may be some for whom it would be extremely difficult to prove refugee status. A trafficked person might also apply to remain in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
In the past, some trafficked persons caught up in police sweeps of brothels and found without legal status in Canada were simply deported. In May 2006, the Minister of Citizenship & Immigration announced new guidelines. Immigration officers are now able to issue a temporary residence permit to a person they believe to be trafficked. This is a positive development, since deportation may put the trafficked person in grave danger and undermine police efforts to prosecute traffickers.
We are still working to entrench this protection in law and to secure necessary services for trafficked persons. Protection of the rights and dignity of the trafficked person is the reason why PACT-Ottawa is networking and seeking your support.
