Honourable senators, I rise today to mark the United Nations International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. When one hears the word “slavery,” most Canadians think of historic slavery; the repugnant trafficking of humans, and more specifically, the sale of over 12 million Africans from the 16th to the 19th centuries. They were torn from their families and homes and sold throughout Europe and the New World as commodities. The aftershocks of that crime against humanity still reverberate today, and we must recognize the resultant human pain and suffering. Unfortunately, this blight on humanity continues in parts of the world today.

But the concept of modern slavery sadly entails the same deprivation of basic human rights, the loss of freedom and control over one’s own life, even today and even in Canada. This day focuses on the eradication of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, unacceptable child labour, forced marriage and that of all vulnerable people being exploited under the threat of violence and coercion.