B.C. RCMP, provincial government announce new 12-member human trafficking unit

CTV News

3 days ago

RCMP Supt. Elija Rain speaks during a news conference in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The British Columbia government and the RCMP say a new 12-member specialized unit will tackle human trafficking throughout the province, with a focus on organized crime and support for 'vulnerable' victims.
Solicitor General Nina Krieger says human trafficking occurs all over B.C. and she urged the public to report suspected cases to law enforcement.
Krieger says today marks the 12th annual World Day against Trafficking in Persons established by the United Nations, and human trafficking is a 'global threat driven by organized crime.'
Chief Supt. Elija Rain, who heads the B.C. RCMP major crime section, says the unit was established and staffed officially in March and it currently has four active investigations that are 'provincewide.'
Rain says human trafficking cases are 'difficult and complex prosecutions' that require working with victims, and while the number of successful prosecutions is low, 'sometimes just rescuing a victim and getting them away from that environment is a success.'
He says the crime of human trafficking is 'grossly under-reported' and the team is focused on 'rescue and removal' of victims forced into sexual labour.
This report by Darryl Greer, The Canadian Press, was first published July 30, 2025.