Anti-Human Trafficking Initiatives

Human trafficking remains a significant challenge in Canada and around the world as the number of victims continues to rise. As a financial institution, we’re deeply committed to identifying and reporting human trafficking through appropriate channels, as well as supporting survivors of this crime.

At CIBC, we have built our Financial Inclusion Program in partnership with victim services and community organizations to better support survivors through their healing journey. We also empower frontline staff with specialized training and referral channels to recognize indicators of human trafficking and disrupt criminal activity at the source.

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit. Exploitation may take various forms, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced begging, organ removal, slavery, and slavery-like practices.

Anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender can be affected by human trafficking.

What are the impacts of this crime?

Human trafficking has significant impacts both on survivors and victims of this crime, as well as the financial system:

Illicit financial activity

Traffickers will attempt to move illicit proceeds through the financial system. They may also fraudulently take out debt in victims’ names, damaging their financial identities.

Trauma for survivors

Survivors of this crime face significant barriers to safety, documentation, and financial stability. These impacts of trafficking are often the most long-lasting and under addressed.

Combating trafficking requires coordinated action across financial institutions, governments, service providers, communities, and law enforcement.

How we educate on human trafficking

Annually, all team members complete mandatory training to increase their awareness of human rights risks and how they relate to our policies, including those related to anti-terrorism financing and anti-money laundering. Many of our client-facing teams receive training related to human trafficking and how it intersects with the financial industry.

How we support Survivors

CIBC’s Project North Star is dedicated to helping survivors of human trafficking reclaim their financial independence and build a secure future.

Project North Star was established in 2021 to support survivors of human trafficking in rebuilding their credit and gaining financial stability.
In partnership with victim services, national and community organizations, the project’s objectives are to support survivors in rebuilding their credit and solidify their overall financial wellness.
As part of this commitment , CIBC also supports access to financial literacy training that helps participants strengthen their financial knowledge, skills and confidence. To begin the course, visit our Building financial knowledge training page Opens a new window..

To find out more about these supports or to learn about additional resources, please contact the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking.

Toll-free and confidential hotline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1-833-900-1010 Opens your phone app.

Website: Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline Opens a new window.

Partners

CIBC on Human Rights: Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement (PDF, 185 KB) Opens a new window.

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Keep your identity safe from fraud and theft

Contact us to report fraud and suspicious activity

Anti-human trafficking initiatives

What is human trafficking?

What are the impacts of this crime?

Illicit financial activity

Trauma for survivors

How we educate on human trafficking

How we support Survivors

Partners

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