Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Canada, on behalf of the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety, announced the appointment of Jennifer Richardson as Chief Advisor to Combat Human Trafficking and released details of her expanded mandate, fulfilling a core commitment of the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking.
Ms. Richardson has extensive experience working on anti-human trafficking efforts in Canada and abroad for over 24 years and brings her lived-experience, being a survivor of the crime herself. Her appointment was effective January 27, 2025, for a term of three years.
As Chief Advisor, Ms. Richardson will provide ongoing advice and recommendations to the Minister of Public Safety on the Government of Canada's efforts to combat human trafficking, work collaboratively with domestic and international stakeholders and Indigenous partners to share best practices and strengthen our collective response, and bring awareness to the crime. Her expanded mandate now includes working with the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Indigenous partners to advance Calls for Justice with respect to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. In this capacity, Ms. Richardson will directly support the advancement of Calls for Justice that relate to human trafficking, for example, 3.4, 7.3, 7.9, 8.1, 11.2, 12.12, 12.14, 16.24.
This appointment ensures the actions we are taking to combat this crime are trauma-informed, victim-centered and culturally-relevant.
