Police brass, officials from upper levels of government, survivors and others are coming together this week in Mississauga to brainstorm new ways to fight a “horrific crime” they say has become too prevalent in Ontario, and Canada — human trafficking.
The two-day Provincial Human Trafficking Symposium gets underway Wednesday morning at the Mississauga Grand Banquet & Event Centre, on Brunel Road. The gathering, hosted by Victim Services of Peel and Peel Regional Police, continues all day Wednesday and again on Thursday.
“The summit brings together survivors, victim services providers, police leaders, justice and social service partners, and policymakers from across Ontario to explore leading and promising practices, expand professional networks and strengthen coordinated efforts to disrupt human trafficking,” Peel police said in an online statement on Tuesday.
Peel police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich, Solicitor General of Ontario Michael Kerzner and Canadian Secretary of State (Combatting Crime) Ruby Sahota are among those who’ll attend the event, being staged under the banner “Strengthening Ontario’s response to human trafficking.”
Human trafficking, which includes sex trafficking, is an ongoing concern for police, lawmakers and others impacted by the crime in Mississauga, the Greater Toronto Area and across the province and country.
One day ago, Peel police released information about an alleged human trafficking operation they say exploited young girls aged 11 to 14 in the sex trade across the GTA.
Three men and a 15-year-old youth face numerous charges in relation to that investigation, which police say they launched in January 2024.
This past Sunday, Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Kerzner and other provincial government officials released a statement to mark the day.
It read, in part: “Human trafficking is a horrific crime that targets our most vulnerable, violates victims’ most basic human rights and has a devastating impact on families and communities across Ontario.”
The statement from the provincial government also noted that “Ontario is taking action to support survivors and hold offenders accountable, through an historic investment of $345 million in our Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy, the largest investment of its kind in Canada. We are taking a whole-of-government approach to end human trafficking in Ontario.”
The comprehensive strategy includes, among other things, efforts to:
Equip law enforcement and justice partners with stronger tools with which to identify and target perpetrators, dismantle trafficking networks and bring criminals to justice.
Fund 19 projects that help police better support victims of crime, including survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking.
Partner with the trucking industry to raise awareness and strengthen prevention efforts as well as improving safety at transportation hubs.
Strengthen law enforcement’s access to key information in human trafficking investigations by updating guest registry requirements for the accommodation sector, including hotels and online accommodation platforms.
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