Excerpts of Toronto Star editorial

It is illegal to take money from nannies when recruiting them in the Philippines. All provinces west of Ontario also ban the practice.

Yet in this province, it's business – and exploitation – as usual. Who knew that Ontario had become a hub for human trafficking? And that the provincial government was turning a blind eye to it?

A bulletin from (Canada Border Services Agency) Anti-Fraud and Human Trafficking Section says recruiters promise firm employment contracts but then use bait-and-switch tactics. Many of the recruits arrive in Canada only to find a job offer has vanished, and may never even have existed. One federal government memo lists about 20 Toronto-area agencies and individuals suspected of fraud.

The Philippines has banned mass recruiting on this scale, but its consulate here says exploitation is widespread in Toronto. Many Canada-based agencies sidestep the bans by recruiting Filipinas already working in Hong Kong.

Manitoba is leading the way with a tough new law starting next month that "targets unscrupulous recruitment" of foreign workers. Recruiters must belong to approved associations, and can charge fees only to employers – not foreign workers – to discourage phony contracts.

How much more evidence does Queen's Park need before it recognizes the seriousness of the problem and takes action?

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