Human Trafficking

#ProjectMapleLeaf #ProjectMapleLeaf 2019 Gallery July 30 2019 Gallery

February 22, 2021 - Ontario Announces new Legislation in the Fight Against Human Trafficking

February 22nd was Canada’s National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. 60% of all of Canada’s human trafficking can be linked in some way to activities that occur along the 401 corridor. The 401 corridor is considered the ‘gateway’ to communities. Many girls have often recounted how they have been escorted to an ONroute station. Because of the transitory nature of the 401, criminal activity in the form of sex trafficking has largely been unenforced. Traffickers are able to ‘hop’ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction with ease, taking advantage of the lack of provincial coordination to tackle this issue. 
 
It is appropriate that on that day the Government of Ontario introduced legislation to fight against human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Ontario. Business and Professional of Women of Ontario, partnered with Courage for Freedom and other organizations to advocate for this legislation with the Government of Ontario. It is a step forward; one of many required to eradicate this practice.
 
Two acts have been introduced: the Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy Act, 2021 and the Accommodation Sector Registration of Guests Act, 2021 - as well as amendments to the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 and the Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking Act, 2017. 
 
Please join BPW in celebrating these landmark legislation proposals and to our mutual ongoing work continuing to advocate with the Government of Ontario to put in place all the measures required in response to these issues.
 
Resources:

#projectmapleleaf

#ProjectMapleLeaf

BPW Canada and Courage for Freedom are working on this national campaign along with other concerned people. The campaign follows last year's huge success of the #ProjectMapleLeaf campaign in Ontario. Over 1600 Ontarians celebrated with us on July 30, 2019. This historic event caught the attention of politicians and Ontario now has an Anti-human Trafficking Strategy. The success of the campaign is dependent on getting the word out. This is part of what BPW Canada members can help with. Just think what can happen in Canada.

The Facts

  1. Evidence suggests over 90% of Canada’s trafficking victims come from within Canada’s borders.
  2. Canada has become a hotbed for human sex trafficking of minor-aged children. 60% of all of Canada’s human trafficking can be linked in some way to activities that occur along the 401 corridor. The 401 corridor is considered the ‘gateway’ to communities. In 2016, the rate of human trafficking in Ontario was more than one and a half times the national rate.
  3. According to police-reported data collected between 2009 and 2016, 72% of victims of human trafficking were under 25 years of age.
  4. In Canada, a 2013 RCMP study reported the victims of all domestic sex trafficking cases prosecuted in Canada between 2007 and 2013 have been female.
  5. On February 22, 2019, Human Trafficking Awareness Day, #ProjectONroute was launched, a historic provincial human trafficking awareness campaign. #ProjectONroute was inspired by a 16-year-old survivor of sex trafficking who wanted to change the way victims of trafficking were portrayed in the media. In 2020, the campaign expanded across the Nation and rebranded as #ProjectMapleLeaf.

#ProjectONRoute 2019 - 2020 Report

Join the #EradicateChallenge

#eradicatechallenge

Add your voice to ours by joining the #EradicateChallenge.

  1. Click here to download and print the instructions and sign (colour and black and white).
  2. Follow the instructions and/or watch this short demo video by Johanna Downey, Peel Region Councillor.
  3. Create your photo, video or both and wear your organizational scarfs, hats, t-shirts, etc.
  4. Include #CanadaBPW, #BPWOntario and your club/organization hashtag and tag @canadabpw, @bpwontario and Courage for Freedom.

Save the Dates - February 22 and July 30

February 22:

On February 22, Canada's National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, we asked all Canadians to join together coast to coast to coast to spread the virtual #EradicateChallenge and send a strong polarized message that we want to "end the buying and selling of girls and boys, children in Canada”.


Heather Ellis, President, BPW Ontario joining the #EradicateChallenge

July 30:

July 30 is the UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and in Canada we will celebrate #ProjectMapleLeaf and the #EradicateChallenge. Courage for Freedom will disclose the party location to each Province and participant closer to the date. Until then, BPW Canada and Courage for Freedom will work on research, building the movement, training industry sectors and communities and creating greater awareness and comradery.

Join the movement. Together we can raise awareness and eradicate human trafficking.
Join the #ProjectMapleLeaf Campaign: Click here and this will make sure you stay informed.

As you can well imagine this is an exciting undertaking. We are still recruiting volunteers to help with various parts of the campaign. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., if you can help in any way. Many hands make for light work.

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#ProjectMapleLeaf Chair
BPW Canada Human Trafficking Ad-Hoc Committee Chair

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#ProjectMapleLeaf Project Lead
President, BPW Ontario