Statement from the Chief Advisor to Combat Human Trafficking on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2025
"Today, on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we pause to honour the strength and resilience of Survivors, and to reaffirm our collective commitment as Canadians to ending human trafficking in all its forms.
This year's theme, "Human Trafficking is an Organized Crime," is a powerful reminder that trafficking is not random, nor does it only affect certain people. It is deliberate, calculated, and often deeply embedded in organized criminal networks that exploit individuals in communities across Canada. These same networks use profits from trafficking to fund other serious crimes—further harming our friends, families, and neighbours.
These networks thrive in plain sight, fueled by our lack of awareness, silence, and inaction. That is why our response must be bold, strategic, and coordinated—and most importantly, rooted in the lived experiences of those who have survived this crime.
The focus is on the vital role that law enforcement and the justice system have in our fight against human trafficking. Their efforts are essential and tireless in identifying traffickers, dismantling criminal networks, and ensuring that people who exploit others are held accountable. While progress has been made, we must continue to build systems that are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessible—so that Survivors are not retraumatized when seeking help, but instead find safety, dignity, and the support they need, when they need it.
Over the past several months, I have had the privilege of listening to Survivors, frontline workers, Indigenous leaders, law enforcement, and community advocates across the country. Their insights are shaping the renewal of Canada's National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking.
As Chief Advisor, my role is to ensure that these voices are not only heard—but acted upon. We are working to build a national response that is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, Survivor-led, and grounded in human rights. This includes strengthening prevention efforts, empowering Survivors, improving access to services, and ensuring traffickers are held accountable through a justice system that is fair and effective.
To every Survivor: your courage and strength always has and will continue to drive this work. Your voice is powerful. Your healing, wellbeing, and safety matter.
To all Canadians: human trafficking is happening right now in our communities. Learn the signs. Speak up. Support the organizations doing this critical work. Talk to your children, your friends, and your family. Together, we can combat human trafficking and send a clear message to traffickers: we will not allow this crime to persist in our country.
On this day of awareness, I encourage you to move beyond reflection to action. Let us build a Canada where every person can live free from exploitation—and where justice is not just a promise, but a reality shared by every single one of us."
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