
Today is the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, and the province of Ontario is using it to take action.
Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Michael Parsa was in Kenora to announce a 5-year extension to its Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy.
“We did increase the funding of it…the first 5 years of the Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy…it came with a $307 million investment,” Parsa said following a press conference in Kenora.
“This new funding will increase to $345 million for the course of the 5 years. The Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy that we have…more than 29,000 people have received services and supports.”
Parsa adds that they did a lot of consultation before drafting the new Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy.
“Throughout the process, we’ve listened, we’ve engaged, we consulted with survivors, with victims, with community partners, and as a result we announced another 5 years of the Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy, with this (Kenora’s) care unit being a part of it.”
Parsa also announced $6 million over three years for an Anti-Human Trafficking care unit in Kenora.
It’s the only one of three in the province located outside the Greater Toronto Area.