Manitoba looks to crack down on people using hotels for human trafficking

The province is cracking down on people who use hotels and taxis for human trafficking.

The province is cracking down on people who use hotels and taxis for human trafficking.

If passed, a new law would require hotels and Airbnb's to keep a customer registry of all names and addresses. Police would be able to access information from the registry with a court order. On an urgent basis, if investigators believe a victim of human trafficking is in harm’s way or their life is in danger, they can demand the relevant portions of the registry.

The bill was introduced by Manitoba Families Minister Rochelle Squires.

“This will be one more tool that the police will have that will enable them to obtain information about a perpetrator,” said Squires.

The province says around 400 children and youth are trafficked annually in plain sight in Manitoba. But it estimates this is only a small portion of the illegal trade which operates in private and online.

Diane Redsky, from the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, welcomes the proposed law.

“These are venues where you have a room and a bed, people come and go,” said Redsky.