The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has laid several charges against Jennilyn Morris, including human trafficking, after a lengthy investigation into alleged labour exploitation in the Edmonton area.
Morris allegedly illegally employed a number of foreign nationals as cleaning, kitchen, and room service staff and as unskilled workers at an Edmonton-area publishing company.
At least one individual was allegedly brought into Canada through the means of fraud, deception, threat of force, and/or coercion. The individual in question was given less pay, more hours, and different work than was originally agreed to.
“This clearly shows that human trafficking isn’t just about sexual exploitation,” says Andrea Burkhart, Executive Director of ACT Alberta. “We are very pleased to see labour trafficking charges laid here in Alberta, because we know that this is a major problem in our province.”
“These cases are just the tip of the iceberg. It is often difficult for victims to come forward, especially foreign nationals who may be unfamiliar with our laws,” continues Burkhart. “More awareness on labour trafficking is badly needed.”
Human trafficking is the act of forcing, coercing, or deceiving an individual into selling sex or labour for the personal gain of another. Globally, human trafficking is second only to drug trafficking as the most profitable criminal activity and has been recognized as the fastest growing crime worldwide.
ACT Alberta works collaboratively with government agencies, law enforcement, and frontline service providing agencies to address the needs of victims of trafficking, provide public education and training, conduct research, and coordinate services in the community.
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