SASKATOON — The Government of Saskatchewan is allocating $1.2 million over the next four years in Hope Restored Canada (HRC), in collaboration with the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, to deliver housing and support services for human trafficking victims.
This investment will secure more housing, counselling, treatment and life skills programming at HRC Saskatoon. Since 2019, it has operated the only safe house in Saskatchewan with specialized services, which have securely supported over 55 women and youth escaping sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.
The funding is being provided through a partnership with the federal government under the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, which was launched in November 2022, by federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for the Status of Women. The Action Plan lays out a ten-year framework to support victims and their families affected by gender-based violence across Canada. Saskatchewan is using the funds received under the agreement to expand existing programs and services that support people affected by gender-based violence, with a focus on prevention.
“Organizations, such as Hope Restored Canada, are crucial in providing lifesaving support to victims and survivors of human trafficking,” said Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
“Through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, we are supporting grassroots programming and frontline organizations that are providing essential services to survivors and their families. We are making sure that these supports are strong, culturally relevant and respond to the needs of local communities.”
”Our team sees first-hand the impact on those with lived experience in our community,” Hope Restored Canada Executive Director Joeline Magill said.
“As the only agency of its kind in the province, we offer vital services to support survivors. This funding provides a safe place for victims and survivors to heal.”
Today’s investment builds on Saskatchewan’s ongoing work to address human trafficking in Canada, including funding of the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team, which adds new provisions for protection orders against human traffickers and enables victims to initiate lawsuits against their traffickers for financial compensation. This fall, the Government of Saskatchewan also introduced legislation to help victims of human trafficking from being negatively impacted by coerced debts.
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