REGINA - The federal government is putting up tens of millions of dollars to fight human trafficking.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale has announced that Ottawa will commit $57 million over five years and $10 million a year after that as part of a national strategy.
Speaking in Regina, Goodale called the crime one of the most heinous in society that causes extreme suffering for victims and survivors.
The strategy is to focus on empowering and protecting victims as well as on prosecuting offenders.
The government says the funding will support measures such as development of a national case management standard.
Goodale says today's announcement builds on other initiatives such as a human trafficking hotline.
The federal government says it will be spending a total of $75 million on the national plan.