Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir, Minister of Children and Family Services Searle Turton and co-chair of the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons Paul Brandt issued the following statement on the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons:
“Human trafficking is a horrific crime that robs individuals of their freedom and dignity, and victims are often left with deep emotional and psychological trauma. Alberta’s government is committed to fighting all forms of human trafficking, whether they involve sexual exploitation, forced labour or other forms of coercion and abuse. We recently invested $5.5 million through the Combatting Trafficking in Persons grant to support organizations that assist survivors and raise awareness across Alberta. We are also working closely with the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons to strengthen our province’s capacity to prevent, identify and respond to human trafficking. We will continue to forge strong partnerships across governments, law enforcement and community organizations to disrupt criminal activity and protect those at risk.”
Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services
“Coercion, violence and exploitation have no place in Alberta. Our government is committed to eliminating all forms of gender-based violence, including human trafficking, through Building on Our Strengths: Alberta’s 10-Year Strategy to End Gender-Based Violence. Our actions focus on education, prevention and supporting front-line organizations across the province to put an end to gender-based violence in Alberta.”
Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women
“Many Albertans may not realize that human trafficking is happening right here in our province. It could be a neighbour, co-worker, classmate, or even a family member who is being victimized. That’s why Alberta’s government continues to invest in critical supports like women’s shelters, sexual assault centres, and child and youth advocacy centres so survivors of sexual violence and exploitation can access the help they need. By working together to learn how to recognize, report and prevent human trafficking, we can empower survivors and build safer communities for everyone.”
Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services
“Human trafficking is happening in our cities, towns and communities, often in plain sight. On
this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we are reminded that behind every statistic is a
person: someone’s child, friend or loved one, exploited through force, fraud or coercion.
At the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons, we’re working across sectors to disrupt
trafficking networks, support survivors with dignity and care, and prevent future exploitation.
This year’s global campaign highlights the critical role of law enforcement and the justice system in dismantling trafficking while supporting survivors.”
Paul Brandt, co-chair, Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons
Media inquiries
Arthur Green
587-357-0108
Press Secretary, Public Safety and Emergency Services
Juliana Rodriguez
780-422-3559
Press Secretary, Arts, Culture and Status of Women
Daniel Verrier
587-644-5255
Press Secretary, Children and Family Services