Fighting Back Against Human Traffickers
Reinvesting cash seized from criminals to help fight human trafficking across the province
Our PC government is committed to putting an end to human trafficking and to supporting victims and survivors of this heinous crime.
That’s why we are reinvesting $2.5 million in cash and proceeds of crime seized from criminals to help fight human trafficking in communities across Ontario. The funds, which will be made available to law enforcement agencies and community partners through the Civil Remedies Grant Program, will support 33 local projects focused on prevention, crisis counselling, research, and public education.
“We are fighting back against human traffickers by investing in training, surveillance technology and equipment to help local police and prosecutors crack down on the criminal networks that prey on and profit from young and vulnerable people in our communities,” said Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte and Attorney General. “These community-based projects will strengthen local capacity to prevent and respond to these heinous crimes while supporting survivors.”
This year, the following initiatives are being supported under the Civil Remedies Grant Program:
- Programs supporting victims of human trafficking, including mental health crisis services, specialized care and support and education and training opportunities.
- Training for frontline officers to help them better detect and investigate human trafficking.
- IT upgrades to improve investigations of online crimes like child exploitation, harassment, intimate images and fraud.
- Investments in surveillance equipment such as automatic licence plate readers to identify and locate vehicles connected to illegal activity across Ontario’s major highways including remote First Nation communities.
Applications for the 2021-22 Civil Remedies Grant Program open November 3, 2020. The deadline to apply is December 15, 2020.
This funding builds on the $20 million Ontario invests each year in dedicated anti-human trafficking initiatives, including prevention, specialized supports, victim services, specialized prosecutors, and enforcement.