Brampton Seeks Help to Combat Student Trafficking

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown has highlighted the urgent issue of human trafficking and exploitation of international students in the city, which he described as occurring 'in plain sight'. With Brampton hosting the largest number of international students in Canada, many face vulnerabilities due to housing insecurity and financial pressures, making them targets for exploitation. Brown has called on federal and provincial governments for support, emphasizing that Brampton alone cannot address this crisis. The city council, led by Councillor Rowena Santos, unanimously passed a motion to develop services and support structures, such as a three-year pilot hub providing culturally sensitive assistance. In recent investigations, Peel Regional Police reported numerous human trafficking cases, underscoring the depth of the problem. There is a concerted push for systemic change to protect these students, including changes to student visa requirements and improved housing policies.