How Trucking Initiatives and Awareness Campaigns Are Fighting Back
SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA – While human trafficking is often portrayed as an issue happening overseas, the reality is that it is a growing crisis right here in Canada—and Saskatchewan has some of the highest rates in the country.
Advocates like Joeline Magill, co-founder of Hope Restored Canada, and Shelley Walker, CEO of WTFC (Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada), are leading efforts to educate the public and combat trafficking within the trucking industry, where both sex and labour trafficking remain major concerns.
A Crisis Closer to Home Than You Think
“Human trafficking is a large umbrella term that covers four different forms of the crime,” Magill explained in a 2023 interview with The StarPhoenix. While sex trafficking is the most well-known, labour trafficking, domestic trafficking, and even organ removal are also serious threats in Canada.
Traffickers often target vulnerable individuals, including Indigenous women and girls, who are disproportionately victimized. These crimes occur on our highways, at truck stops, and in industries where exploitative labour practices are common.
Truckers on the Frontline of the Fight
Truck drivers play a critical role in identifying trafficking victims. Many sex trafficking victims are moved along highways and forced to work in hotels, truck stops, or remote worksites.
Some trucking companies have also been linked to labour trafficking, exploiting Temporary Foreign Workers through forced labour schemes.
Recognizing this, Walker launched Know Human Trafficking, a non-profit initiative wrapping semi-trailers with anti-trafficking messages, turning them into rolling billboards for awareness. Today, 31 trucks across Canada spread the message and help save lives.
A Saskatchewan-Based Initiative for Indigenous Communities
Truck operator NRT has partnered with Know Human Trafficking to bring awareness to northern Saskatchewan, where many at-risk Indigenous individuals reside.
Sherry Mossman, NRT’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the importance of reaching Indigenous communities:
“Given that Saskatchewan is a hotbed for human trafficking and that Indigenous women are significant targets, NRT wishes to act to protect our owners’ families and communities.”
To make the campaign more accessible, trailer messaging has been translated into Cree, and a second trailer featuring n-dialect translations for Manitoba is planned for later this year.
Education and Future Action
Walker stresses that education is key.
“If more truck drivers knew what to look for, more [human trafficking crimes] would be reported.”
An online training course for truck drivers is available for free at KnowHumanTrafficking.com. In Ontario, some training schools have already made it mandatory, with efforts underway to expand the requirement nationwide.
By June 2025, Know Human Trafficking aims to launch a mobile education unit, bringing survivor-led training to communities across Canada in collaboration with Crime Stoppers and law enforcement.
What You Can Do to Help
If you suspect human trafficking, report it immediately to:
- Local police or RCMP
- Ontario Provincial Police (OPP): 1-888-310-1122
- Crime Stoppers (anonymous tip line): 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca
- Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010
Stay Safe Online: Avoid Sharing Intimate Images
Human trafficking isn’t just happening in person—it’s also happening online. Predators often lure victims through social media and dating apps, gaining their trust before exploiting them.
To protect yourself:
✅ Never share intimate images online—they can be used for blackmail or coercion.
✅ Be wary of strangers asking for money or investments.
✅ Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is.
By staying informed, reporting suspicious activity, and supporting awareness initiatives, we can protect vulnerable individuals and help end human trafficking in Canada.
