Harper Government takes action to combat human trafficking in Edmonton

EDMONTON, Dec. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Peter Goldring, Member of Parliament for Edmonton East, on behalf of the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, today announced Government of Canada support for a project to help address the trafficking of women and girls in Edmonton.

"Human trafficking is a serious crime, and our Government is committed to creating safe communities across Canada and right here in Edmonton," said Mr. Goldring. "We are proud to partner with ACT Alberta which does such important work to make this community safer."

"Our Government is committed to protecting women and girls from violence," said Minister Leitch. "That is why we are holding offenders accountable for their actions, and supporting community-based projects across Canada that address violence against women and girls."

The Action Coalition on Human Trafficking Alberta Association (ACT Alberta) is receiving $199,760 from the Government of Canada for a project that will help women and girls in Edmonton who are victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation, or are at risk of becoming victims. ACT Alberta will engage a network of diverse partners to develop and implement a community action plan focused specifically on this form of trafficking. The project will work to integrate its plan and recommendations into the existing crime prevention initiatives in the city.

"Our organization has noted an increase in reports of human trafficking in Edmonton in recent years. Victims of human trafficking come from all parts of the world, including Canadian born girls and women," said Ms. Andrea Burkhart, Executive Director, ACT Alberta. "We need an effective and comprehensive community action plan that links into our city's efforts to tackle crime. We are very pleased to have Government of Canada support in helping to make that a reality."

The Harper Government is supporting this project through Status of Women Canada's call for proposals, Working Together: Engaging Communities to End Violence Against Women and Girls. Through Status of Women Canada, federal government support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting more than 600 projects across Canada. Since that time, over $62 million dollars in funding has been approved specifically for projects to end violence against women and girls.

From November 25, 2013 until December 10, 2013, the Government of Canada is marking 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. This includes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6, and International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2013.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only: 

Barbara Mottram
Director of Communications
Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C.,
O. Ont., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Minister of
Status of Women Tel: [phone]

For all other inquiries, contact: 

Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications
and Public Affairs
Status of Women Canada
Tel: [phone]

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For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to women.gc.ca.