TAT Builds Partnerships and Expands Reach in Canada
*Photo via TAT newsletter
Through a Coalition Build (CB) in Alberta, a Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) meeting in British Columbia, and a Fleet Safety Council Event in Ontario, Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) staff engaged leaders from the energy and trucking industries and law enforcement in efforts to combat human trafficking in Canada.
On October 4, 2022, TAT hosted a CB in Fort McMurray, Alberta in partnership with ConocoPhillips Canada. The goal of the CB was to bring together representatives from the energy industry with law enforcement, government agencies, and the local indigenous communities for anti-trafficking training and solutions-oriented coordination. Over 70 people were in attendance and heard presentations by anti-trafficking experts from the Alberta Crown Prosecution Services, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, and TAT.
Attendees also heard a presentation by a Canadian survivor of human trafficking and learned about cases that national and regional law enforcement had investigated. TAT staff provided an overview of engagement opportunities and training resources, emphasizing that TAT CBs are intended to spark action and equip participants with the tools they need to spread awareness to combat human trafficking within their companies, agencies, and communities. Ninety percent of survey respondents said they felt better prepared to identify human trafficking after attending the briefing with several describing the training as “powerful,” “moving” and “informative.” In follow-up conversations, participants have expressed interest in receiving TAT training resources for the energy industry and law enforcement and TAT has already begun discussions about planning additional Canadian-based CBs in the future.
At the CTA’s Annual Meeting on October 5-6, 2022, in Whistler, British Columbia, TAT Field Trainer and Survivor Leader, Liz Williamson, and TAT Public Sector Engagement Specialist, Dylan Wecht presented at the CTA’s Blue Ribbon Task Force Meeting. The Task Force is comprised of approximately 100 CTA Board members, including all provincial trucking associations, and Team Canada Elite members. TAT provided an overview of how the trucking industry in Canada can help combat human trafficking and recommended that the CTA implement anti-trafficking training as part of the Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) class for Class 1 and Class 2 commercial
drivers nationwide.
On October 14, 2022, TAT participated in the 31st annual Fleet Safety Council Conference in Brampton, Ontario where approximately 250 professionals and council members met to discuss health and safety within the Canadian transportation industry. TAT’s Data Administration Specialist, Amanda Haggarty, managed the TAT booth and described, “TAT received a warm welcome, and attendees were enthusiastic about TAT’s work in the industry.” In addition, TAT received a generous donation and recognition from the Fleet Safety Council.
TAT continues to be encouraged by the level of interest and commitment expressed by members of the trucking, bus, and energy industries in Canada to engage in anti-trafficking initiatives.