Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Canada
(February 22)

The reality in Canada: it’s growing, and it’s closer than we think

These numbers represent real people, real families, and real communities. And they point to something we can do right now: prevention.

A growing crisis: Since 2014, police-reported incidents have generally increased year-over-year. Between 2014 and 2024, a total of 5,070 incidents were reported.

A gendered crime: 93% of detected victims are women and girls, and 82% of those accused are men and boys.

A youth issue: Young Canadians are at the highest risk, 63% of victims are under 25.

Despite being only 5% of the population, Indigenous women and girls account for over 50% of reported cases.

Human trafficking is a reality, and it’s not just happening “somewhere else.”

Misconceptions create blind spots. Here are a few realities that can help us recognize risk and respond with compassion.

In Canada, the most common form of human trafficking is sexual exploitation when someone profits from the use of another person’s body in a sexual manner to benefit financially or otherwise.

Myth 4: “Victims are always kidnapped or trapped against their will.”

Myth vs. reality: what trafficking actually looks like

Under Canada’s Criminal Code, human trafficking includes recruiting, transporting, transferring, receiving, holding, concealing, or harbouring a person, or exercising control, direction, or influence over their movements for the purpose of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation.

Simply put: human trafficking is profiting from the exploitation of another person through force, manipulation, or coercion.

Human trafficking can include different forms of exploitation, including sexual exploitation and forced labour.

What is human trafficking?

Reality: Trafficking often relies on manipulation, coercion, deception, or abuse of power. Many victims have an existing relationship with their trafficker—an intimate relationship (36% for women/girls) or a business relationship (46% for men/boys)—making the trap psychological or financial rather than physical.

Myth 1: “Human trafficking only impacts foreign nationals.”

Reality: While trafficking can include international cases, it frequently involves Canadian citizens and permanent residents. In fact, 75% of police-reported incidents fall under the Criminal Code (domestic exploitation), while 25% fall under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

Myth 2: “Human trafficking doesn’t happen in my community.”

Reality: Human trafficking happens across Canada in local communities, cities, and rural areas. Between 2014 and 2024, there were 5,070 reported incidents nationwide. While 85% occur in large urban centres, it is also documented in non-urban areas.

Myth 3: “Human trafficking always involves crossing international borders.”

Reality: Trafficking does not require crossing borders. It can occur entirely within Canada, including along domestic trafficking corridors that facilitate the movement of victims internally.

Calls for Justice 

“We call upon all governments and health service providers to support Indigenous-led prevention initiatives in the areas of health and community awareness, including, but not limited to programming: 

At Ally, we believe every child deserves a safe and healthy future.

Our work with Makwa Dodem furthers the Call to Justice for Health and Wellness Service Providers from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: 

For Indigenous men and boys 

Related to suicide prevention strategies for youth and adults 

Related to sexual trafficking awareness and no-barrier exiting 

Specific to safe and healthy relationships 

Specific to mental health awareness