Human trafficking remains one of the fastest-growing crimes in Canada, yet it’s
frequently “hidden in plain ”view”—happening right in front of us but goes mostly
unnoticed.
Public Safety Canada describes it as exploiting victims for profit by recruiting and holding
and transporting them for use in the sex trade or as forced labor. Traffickers often
Use physical, mental, and emotional abuse to control their victims. Sometimes new
Canadians who’ve come to live here from other countries can find themselves
involved.
Victims of this crime often can’t escape for fear of violence or being killed. Being
Hidden in the shadows, there’s often little help for them. A number of agencies are
working to do what they can to help. This includes Crime Stoppers which has joined
together with the BC Hotel Association, Canadian Hotel & Lodging Association and
other provinces on a new training program now underway to teach hotel employees
how to spot and report suspected human trafficking activities. They’re urged to report
what they see to someone, whether it be police, management, or Crime Stoppers.
The training includes a video message from Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers
Executive Director Linda Annis who issues a plea for hotel employees to report their
tips to Crime Stoppers if they want to stay anonymous. “When it comes to human
trafficking, we want criminals to know they’re not welcome,” says Annis. “The victims
of human trafficking need our help, and you will never be identified when you send us
a tip. Please speak up, because the victims cannot.”
If you have information on this or any crime, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Crime Stoppers has operators who accept tips around the clock in 115 languages
including Punjabi, Hindi, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Tips are also accepted through
Crime Stoppers’ downloadable “P3” phone app, or online at solvecrime.ca.
February 6, 2026
