In relation to online child sexploitation impacting first nations communities—and anywhere in Canada, for that matter—we recognize that those who prey on the most vulnerable do not discriminate. Our first nations communities are susceptible. A significant amount of work needs to be done in our first nations communities across the country, not only from an investigative perspective, but from a proactive, prevention and education perspective. There is significant work happening.
The national child exploitation crime centre is celebrating its 20th anniversary. It's an opportune time to look at the way we deploy and the work that we're doing in partnership with witness protection, looking at enhancing and strengthening that program.
However, specifically speaking to the Philippines, as you are aware and have mentioned, we have deployed one officer to that country, who is a child exploitation subject matter expert. We actually just had a team from national headquarters from the program area travel to the Philippines to meet with Philippine authorities, police officials and government officials, as well as our member there, to do a review and evaluation of the program to see whether or not it requires enhancement.
We currently touch 73 countries around the world from a liaison perspective. Obviously, this is recognizing some of the different challenges.
The program review in relation to the Philippines to see whether or not we will adjust and/or redeploy or strengthen our commitment there is not complete. That is certainly on the radar as we continue to look at how we strengthen this.
Child exploitation remains a significant challenge and issue in our country that requires a significant amount of work to be done.