After finally escaping the devastating trauma of numerous traffickers, Cassandra Harvey has been working to rebuild her life. But fraudulent benefit claims, payday loans and credit card debt racked up by the traffickers in her name are making that difficult. And while most of the financial institutions finally recognized her situation as “coerced debt” the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is failing to provide her any relief to help get her life back on track.  

The ongoing failure of the CRA 

When Harvey first got free from her traffickers, she took the first step on a difficult journey. In addition to healing from the trauma she endured, she also began trying to clear the debt her traffickers accrued in her name. Debt in the amount of $65,000. With help from agencies and financial institutions she has clawed back most of that debt. But the CRA still stands in her way. They continue to claim she owes them thousands of dollars for fraudulent tax benefits obtained in her name despite clear evidence of trafficking.  

Reclaim, a national program helping survivors clear coerced debts, attested in The Pointer: 

“Cassandra has made significant strides to reach stability in her life; despite the trauma and victimization she faced. The disruption that this coercive debt (to CRA) is causing serves as a constant reminder of her experience while having an impact on Cassandra’s continued success and journey of healing.” 

More than a year has passed since the CRA was made aware of Harvey’s situation, yet her debt remains. Claiming they are “deeply committed” to fairness for “these types of cases” the CRA refused to comment directly on her case. So far, Harvey estimates the CRA has taken at least $9,000 from tax assessments and other benefits. And Harvey is not alone. 

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