It's certainly a very difficult and complex question, because to provide awareness to people who are potentially being trafficked or who, I would surmise, at that stage are likely being smuggled into Canada.... It's very difficult to raise their awareness.
What I would maybe state to address your question, as well as the previous question, is that raising awareness domestically is a really important part of this in ensuring that people are able to identify indicators after arrival in Canada. I can't speak to what could be done at the borders, but what I would say is that what is being done at the borders is that we rely significantly on our border services officers, our BSOs, to apply a very wide range of over 100 pieces of legislation, from the Customs Act to IRPA. However, this is something they are very determined and very emotional about in terms of ensuring this is an issue that we interdict at the border.
What I would provide as a response to give you the comfort that will follow, hopefully, is that, in a circumstance where a situation of suspected human trafficking occurs at the border, the first thing that's going to happen is that the BSO is going to separate the potential victim from the person who is trafficking them. From that point, there is a range of different procedures that will follow and that will be adhered to by the BSO and will likely lead to detention and, potentially, a referral for investigation to the police of jurisdiction or the RCMP. It's at that stage that the person who has been traumatized and is suspected of being trafficked will have access to a range of different services and supports from our federal partners, which are typically offered through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
The other thing I would add is that quite often—and it's something we hear quite frequently—people are afraid to come forward because they risk deportation. Every case is different, but a variety of different support services are available to people who raise the issue of potentially being trafficked: from emergency housing, emergency funding and support services to a variety of different types of status in Canada, whether it's an open work permit for vulnerable workers or a temporary resident permit for victims of trafficking in persons. There is a support mechanism that is in place, and it is immediately actionable at the border. BSOs receive this training so that they have this top of mind and are able to take action to interdict should they suspect that a victim is being trafficked through the border at a port of entry into Canada.
Thank you very much for the question.