"Human life and dignity are not commodities to be bought and sold, and today in Alberta, we declare that no one should be for sale."   Paul Brandt

Seven years ago, when Paul Brandt founded #NotInMyCity to create awareness of an invisible crime, many doubted the existence of human trafficking in Alberta.

Yesterday, Human Trafficking Awareness Day, he stood in unison with others to announce an expanded grassroots network to combat the hideous crime.

"Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada but remains largely invisible," said Brandt. "The majority of Canadians are unaware of this crime, and the signs of it. Human trafficking prospers in secrecy, so traffickers are motivated to keep this lucrative business hidden." 

"Young people are vulnerable and parents are often unprepared and often victims are unaware that they're being exploited," he continued. "While representing only four per cent of Canada's national population, over 50 per cent of trafficking victims in Canada are indigenous. The greatest risk factor for being trafficked in Canada is being a girl.

"We aim to change that, and we welcome you to join us."

Mike Ellis, minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, announced the Alberta government is providing $3.5 million in funding to support 20 anti-human trafficking community organizations.

Each will use their knowledge and expertise to help ensure that resources are allocated where they will have the greatest impact. These organizations work directly with those who are being, or have been, trafficked, while also working to prevent others from being victimized.

"This model for addressing human trafficking in partnership with the Government of Alberta is a community-led approach," said Brandt. "It welcomes all Albertans to be empowered, joining together to disrupt this crime."

The announcement follows last summer's creation of the Alberta Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons, which Brandt co-chairs. Its role is to ensure victims and survivors are receiving the strongest support available and have better access to services across the province.

Brandt admits Canada remains in the awakening phase, even after over two decades of dealing with the issue, but he believes in the Alberta-made model. 

"While there is still much work to do, today is a day for celebration as we collectively take a stand for the most basic of human rights. It is possible to disrupt this crime and prevent it from happening in the first place, and when we recognize the signs of human trafficking and respond, we restore lives. We truly are stronger together."

In 2022, there were 528 police reported incidents of human trafficking in Canada. Between 2011 and 2021, police services in Canada reported more than 3,500 incidents of human trafficking. The vast majority of victims (96 per cent) being women and girls, and one-quarter of victims under the age of 18. Many more are suspected to have gone unreported.

Brandt believes compiling more accurate statistics and data will be a powerful weapon in the battle, noting if you can't measure it, you can't change it.

"The more that we can do to raise general awareness within the public can make a huge difference. It's one of the only crimes that exists that can be addressed simply by being aware of the signs."

#NotInMyCity has developed extensive resources to understanding those signs. It also offers a free 30-minute course entitled “Mobilizing Communities to Disrupt Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking in Canada”

In October 2022, the Alberta government committed more than $20 million in new funds over four years to step up the fight against human trafficking.

In July 2023, it announced partnership with #NotInMyCity, Native Counselling Services of Alberta and REACH Edmonton Council for Safer Communities and investing $4 million to create the Alberta Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Anti-human trafficking community organizations receiving government funding include:

  • ALERT
  • Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE)
  • RESET Society of Calgary
  • Waypoints
  • Action Coalition on Human Trafficking Alberta (ACT Alberta)
  • Catholic Social Services
  • HER Victory
  • #NotInMyCity
  • Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre
  • Community Response Model (Hull Services)
  • Alberta Human Trafficking Provincial Network
  • #NotInMyCity – The Maddison Sessions
  • Edmonton Multicultural Health Brokers
  • Kainai Transition Centre Society
  • Metis Child & Family Services Society
  • Native Counselling Services of Alberta
  • Creating Hope Society of Alberta
  • Wood Buffalo Wellness Society
  • Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service
  • Policy Wise – HT Data Portal
  • Calgary Centre for Newcomers