Issued by the Ottawa Police Service

Today, on World Day Against Trafficking Persons, the Ottawa Police Service and the Ottawa International Airport are proud to announce their partnership with #NotInMyCity to raise awareness, identify, and support victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in the City of Ottawa.
 

“By partnering with the Ottawa Police Service and the Ottawa Airport, we’re helping more people recognize the signs and speak up when something doesn’t look right. With knowledge comes prevention — and human trafficking often hides in plain sight,” said Paul Brandt, Canadian country music artist and founder of #NotInMyCity.
 

The partnership will focus on staff training and ongoing public education to help recognize the signs of human trafficking and understand how to report it safely.
 

"Safety and security have always been a core value for YOW," said Susan Margles, Ottawa Airport Authority President and CEO." By joining Not In My City, we are reinforcing that commitment. We are proud to stand with the Ottawa Police Service, Not In My City, and our tourism and community partners in saying clearly that human trafficking has no place in our airport, our community or our city.
 

The Issue

Human Trafficking is one of the fastest-growing crimes in Canada and globally. Traffickers can generate significant profits by exploiting a single victim, with grooming and recruitment of vulnerable individuals often beginning as early as age 12. These realities highlight the urgent need for education, awareness, and early intervention.
 

The most common form of human trafficking in Canada is commercial sexual exploitation, with the vast majority of reported victims being Canadian citizens trafficked domestically. Victims can be moved by air, making airports and airlines critical points for intervention and support.
 

Airports serve as key transportation hubs that connect communities daily. Frontline staff may be one of the few opportunities to recognize the signs of human trafficking and take appropriate action. Early identification can make a critical difference in connecting victims with help and disrupting exploitation before it continues.

The Numbers

• Between January 1, 2023, and July 24, 2026, the Ottawa Police Human Trafficking Unit reviewed 266 police reports for possible human trafficking. Of these, 20 investigations resulted in 244 criminal charges being laid. 
• In 2026, a new reporting category was introduced to capture human trafficking-related information where no reportable human trafficking offence was identified. As of 2026, 152 occurrences have been recorded under this category. 
• Between 2023 and July 24, 2026, police recorded 114 human trafficking occurrences under the official UCR human trafficking code. Unfounded reports were excluded. Of these, 19 people were charged. Of those charged, 17 were males between the ages of 22 and 41, while two were females between the ages of 17 and 36.
• Between 2011 and 2021, 31% of human trafficking offences in Canada involved crossing an international border.

Human trafficking doesn’t always look the way we expect, and victims are not always hidden from view. 

Possible indicators may include a person who:

• Is not permitted to speak for themselves or is repeatedly interrupted by a companion
• Provides vague, inconsistent, or rehearsed details about their travel
• Does not possess or control their own identification or travel documents
• Is unable to explain their destination, accommodations, or travel arrangements
• Has very few personal possessions for the planned journey
• Appears fearful, anxious, submissive, exhausted, injured, or in need of medical attention
• Appears to be closely monitored, directed, threatened, or controlled by another person
  
   

Report It Safely

Do no harm — Human trafficking is a crime. Under no circumstances should the safety of the suspected victim or any other individual be compromised.
 

If you observe something that concerns you, please report it. Do not intervene directly.
 

The safest action is to call the Airport Operations Coordination Centre at 613-248-2111 or the Ottawa Police Service at 613-236-1222.
 

For more information about the #NotInMyCity initiative, visit NotInMyCity.ca.