Christmas is just around the corner, and the holiday shopping season is well underway. Amidst the festive hustle and bustle, it’s important to pause and consider the impact of our purchases—not just on our wallets, but on the people behind the products we buy. By shopping sustainably and ethically this holiday season, you can help disrupt the cycle of exploitation.

We’re all familiar with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the major shopping days that kick off the holiday season. But there’s another day that deserves just as much attention: #GivingTuesday.  Many people have negative feelings towards the consumerism and spending that surround the holiday shopping season. #GivingTuesday shifts the focus from spending to giving, fostering generosity and a spirit of kindness.  

As the issue of human trafficking has garnered increased attention in recent years, depictions of trafficking on the big screen have increased as well. Raising public awareness is an important step in combatting human trafficking. However, a growth in public knowledge of human trafficking raises some important questions: now that people are aware of human trafficking, what do they know and where did they learn that information? 

Canada is a popular destination for international students. While some of these students thrive in their new environment, many face challenges such as language barriers, cultural isolation, and financial strain. Coupled with a lack of familiar support networks, these challenges can leave students vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and human trafficking. 

Debt bondage (also called debt slavery or bonded labour) is when someone is forced to pay off a loan by working for little or no payment. Debt bondage is one of the most common methods of exploiting victims of human trafficking.

Labour trafficking takes place in every country of the world, in every industry. Despite governments and corporations pledging to put an end to exploitative employment practices, the problem persists around the globe. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that there are 27.6 million victims of forced labour worldwide as of 2021

ACT Alberta is thrilled to launch our brand-new training, Human Trafficking 101: Service Provider Essentials. This online workshop offers service providers an opportunity to learn about the presence of human trafficking in Alberta and practice the skills necessary to respond to the needs of victims and survivors they may encounter in their roles.

The Board of Directors of the Action Coalition on Human Trafficking Alberta (ACT Alberta) announces the departure of its Executive Director, Kate Price, effective June 14, 2024. Since January 2022, Kate has demonstrated exceptional leadership as the Executive Director through her commitment to combating human trafficking. Under her guidance, ACT Alberta has seen significant growth and development.

Virtual spaces have become more important than ever. Technology is ubiquitous, and the internet is woven into the fabric of our daily life.
The internet, while a powerful tool for learning and communication, can also be used as a tool for exploitation. The reality is, traffickers will hang out wherever vulnerable people are, whether those places are virtual or physical. Human traffickers have become adept at using online platforms, including social media, chat rooms, online marketplaces, and gaming sites, to identify and recruit potential victims.

In Alberta, the court has the authority to issue various orders that prohibit one individual from contacting another. If the conditions of the order are broken, there may be civil or criminal ramifications. In this blog we will explore the different orders available, including Human Trafficking Protection Orders, and how they can be implemented to protect victims of human trafficking.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is a government initiative that allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis when qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are not available.

Language is a powerful tool. It is how we communicate meaning with one another. The words we choose and how we use them have the power to influence the way people think about and respond to an issue. Considering your words carefully is always important, but this is especially true in the context of human trafficking. Misused or incorrect language may cause further harm to individuals who have experienced trafficking and may render data completely inaccurate.

This year, the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) marks its 75th year. So, to commemorate this historic moment, from December 1-10, 2023 a team of partners led by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights will host the Ignite Change Global Convention.

22% of ACT Alberta clients identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis. It's important to understand the unique vulnerabilities that Indigenous people face, such as discrimination, violence and abuse, inter-generational trauma, lack of cultural support, underfunded services, and often the physical barrier of living in a rural region.

ACT Alberta was privileged to participate in a conversation with the Human Rights Council-appointed special rapporteur, Tomoya Obokata, when he visited BC in August.

ACT proudly supports our incredible, diverse communities as we all celebrate Pride Week in Edmonton and Calgary this week! It also means it is time to renew our commitment to the prevention and elimination of discrimination in all communities who are especially vulnerable to trafficking.

Our Victim Response Team is the heart of our organization. It is an honour to be in the position to work directly with victims and survivors of human trafficking. To walk with them on their path to safety is a rare and important privilege.

Education is the most important step in understanding human trafficking. In order to end it, we need to understand how to prevent it, what it actually looks like in our communities, and what steps we can take to do more.

Education is the most important step in understanding human trafficking. In order to end it, we need to understand how to prevent it, what it actually looks like in our communities, and what steps we can take to do more.

If you are going to grab a spot to watch Sound of Freedom – it is important to remember that this is one story in a collection of millions and this story is not the whole story.