Did the government have to announce Human Trafficking Awareness Day?

By Pepper Parr

February 22nd, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

Did the government need a statement to make people aware of this scourge on our society?

Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Michael Parsa, Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, and Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria released the following statement to mark Human Trafficking Awareness Day:

“Human trafficking is a horrific crime that targets our most vulnerable, violates victims’ most basic human rights and has a devastating impact on families and communities across Ontario.

Ontario is taking action to support survivors and hold offenders accountable, through a historic investment of $345 million in our Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy, the largest investment of its kind in Canada. We are taking a whole-of-government approach to end human trafficking in Ontario, including:

This is the level where trafficking has to be stopped. The British have done the right thing, stripped former Prince Andrew of his titles.  With some luck, they might charge him with a criminal offense, find him guilty and put him in prison.

Launching three Children at Risk of Exploitation (CARE) units since 2021 that unite child protection workers, police and Indigenous liaisons to better safeguard children and youth who have experienced trafficking or are at high risk.

Equipping law enforcement and justice partners with stronger tools to identify and target perpetrators, dismantle trafficking networks and bring criminals to justice, including through the Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy dedicated to fighting human trafficking through intelligence gathering.

Investing $6 million from 2025 to 2027 through the Victim Support Grant program to fund 19 projects that help police better support victims of crime, including survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking.

Developing new resources for parents to have early and age-appropriate conversations with their children about human trafficking and how to recognize the warning signs.

Partnering with the trucking industry to raise awareness and strengthen prevention efforts as well as improving safety at transportation hubs, including ONroute service centres, by improving lighting, security cameras, and displaying the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

Strengthening law enforcement’s access to key information in human trafficking investigations by updating guest registry requirements for the accommodation sector, including hotels and online accommodation platforms.