The Alberta government is committing $20.8 million over the next four years to combat human trafficking. .“One of our very first platform commitments was to implement a nine-point Alberta Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking,” said Alberta Premier Jason Kenney in a Sunday press release. .“Today’s announcement of over $20 million in additional funding continues that life-saving work.”.The release said the Alberta government will be implementing its human trafficking task force’s five recommendations to protect and assist vulnerable people and stop them from being exploited by traffickers. .The release went on to say the funding will create an Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons and a centre of excellence for research and data collection. It added the money will establish a grant for coordinated community support and indigenous-led and culturally-relevant services..The Alberta government said it will fund civilian positions through the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, which will be focused on supporting victims and survivors during investigations. It said it will collaborate to implement other task force recommendations. .“This funding is critical to combat human trafficking in the province,” said Alberta Justice Minister and Solicitor General Tyler Shandro. .“It will allow survivors and victims of human trafficking to receive the specialized services they need and reduce the risk of re-exploitation.”.The release said human trafficking is more prevalent than what statistics show because of the hidden nature of the crime, high levels of fear among victims and survivors, and problems with data collection and information distribution..“Today’s step reinforces Alberta’s determination to stamp out this terrible exploitation,” said Kenney. .This announcement comes after Saskatchewan toughened its human trafficking law in April. .READ MORE: Saskatchewan toughens its human trafficking laws.“This legislation is intended to improve safety for survivors, while holding traffickers accountable for this horrific crime,” said Saskatchewan Justice Minister Gordon Wyant. .The law made it easier for victims to obtain a protection order and included new restrictions prohibiting traffickers from contacting their victims.
