CALGARY – February 18, 2026 – One year after its launch, the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons (the Alberta Centre) is marking a milestone year of progress in building and implementing Canada’s first comprehensive, community-led, province-wide response to human trafficking. In its first year, the Centre has focused on operationalizing its made-in-Alberta model, which brings together community organizations, Indigenous leadership, law enforcement, government, and the private sector, with survivors at the core of its work.
This model has played a critical role in reshaping how human trafficking is understood and addressed across the province. By prioritizing collaboration, the Centre has helped move Alberta toward a coordinated, trauma-informed, and survivor-centred approach: one that recognizes trafficking as a complex, systemic issue requiring collective action from all sectors.
“Addressing and suppressing human trafficking can be overwhelming, even for experienced frontline service providers,” says Paul Brandt, Co-Chair of the Alberta Centre. “Our regional consultations have reminded us of the power of collective action. What surprised us most was the role of hope. When we go into communities, listen to their challenges and successes, and create space for collaboration, we see how shared commitment and optimism can drive a stronger, more coordinated response.”
“Human trafficking is a violation of fundamental rights that leaves lasting scars on victims, survivors and communities across Alberta,” said the Honourable Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety. “Our government has zero tolerance for this exploitation; we are committed to exposing traffickers and empowering survivors to break free from cycles of abuse. Because there is no one-size-fits-all solution, we are working alongside law enforcement, Indigenous communities, and partners like the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons to ensure survivors receive the specialized support they need to recover and thrive.”
Regional Key Partner Sessions
Over the past year, the Alberta Centre has organized and facilitated four of seven planned regional consultation sessions in cities across Alberta about the province’s response to human trafficking, identifying current gaps in the system and learning how the Alberta Centre can work with services to improve the response.
“To build a coordinated and effective response to human trafficking, we have to first start by listening and learning from those on the front lines of this work, and that’s where our key partner sessions come in,” says Paul Brandt, Co-Chair of the Alberta Centre.“The result is a more connected system across the provinces that reduces gaps in services, improves responses on the ground, and better supports survivors in rebuilding their lives.”
Survivor Voices at the Core
“When we work together with honesty, respect, and courage, we create the kind of community where healing is possible and where the next generation may never have to walk the road we once did,” Angela Morris, Survivor and Founder of Embody Her.
Central to the Alberta Centre’s work is its survivor-focused mandate. Survivors’ lived experience continues to inform the Centre’s approach, ensuring services and strategies are relational, client-centred, trauma-informed, and outcomes-driven. By embedding survivor voices into the response to trafficking, the Centre is helping shift how systems respond, not only addressing immediate needs but also supporting dignity, autonomy, and long-term healing.
Building on Year One
As the Alberta Centre enters its second year, its focus remains on strengthening partnerships, advancing coordinated responses, and continuing to build a future where exploitation is prevented, traffickers are held accountable, and survivors are supported. As the Alberta Centre enters its second year, it will:
- Continue regional partner sessions while following up on previous sessions, with plans to expand into additional communities across the province.
- Strengthen and advance comprehensive exit pathways, guided by a compassionate strategy that ensures survivors receive timely, appropriate support when they need it most.
- Focus on reinforcing provincial infrastructure, so organizations have the tools, coordination, and support required to effectively address this issue.
About the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons
The Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons (the Alberta Centre) was established by the community partnership with the Government of Alberta to lead a province-wide, coordinated response to human trafficking. Built on the pillars of protection, prevention, prosecution, partnership and empowerment, guided by principles of a relational, client-centred, trauma-informed, collaborative, outcome-driven approach, the Centre collaborates with government, law enforcement, businesses, and community organizations to combat trafficking and protect vulnerable populations. The Centre’s mission to unite and empower our community in disrupting and preventing human trafficking, while ensuring survivors have prioritized access to exit opportunities and comprehensive support resources. By fostering partnerships and advocating for policy reform, the Alberta Centre is committed to creating a future free from human trafficking and its devastating effects.
Media Contact
Mike Brown
For the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons
[email protected]
Blake Marczuk
For the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons
[email protected]