OPS announce partnership with #NotInMyCity anti-trafficking initiative
Posted Jul 30, 2026 09:54:17 AM.
Last Updated Jul 30, 2026 12:08:17 PM.
Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has announced a partnership with anti-human-trafficking organization #NotInMyCity to raise awareness for and identify victims of human trafficking in the City of Ottawa.
In a press release published Thursday morning, OPS announced the new partnership would be implemented immediately, to coincide with July 30th being ‘World Day Against Trafficking Persons’. They say the partnership will particularly focus on staff training and public education, to help better recognize the signs of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. OPS also states the new partnership will help individuals both within and outside of the police force safely report occurrences of trafficking to protect victims.
#NotInMyCity was founded in 2017 by Canadian country music star Paul Brandt, along with his wife Liz. In a statement included in the release, Brandt said of the new partnership:
“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”.
Alongside the OPS, Ottawa International Airport also announced its involvement in the partnership, given that international airports are often a critical point for trafficking movement. Susan Margles, President and CEO of Ottawa Airport Authority, said of the initiative:
“Safety and security have always been a core value for YOW. 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.”
Trafficking in Canada
According to the release by Ottawa Police, human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing crimes in Canada and around the world. They say the most common form of human trafficking is sexual exploitation for profit, with the majority of said trafficking taking place domestically with Canadian citizens involved.
They specifically reiterate the Ottawa International Airport’s relevance within the process, as they say victims can commonly be moved via air travel, “making airports and airlines critical points for intervention and support”.
Included within the release is a number of statistics related to human trafficking in Ottawa, and in Canada more broadly. Ottawa Police say their Human Trafficking Unit reviewed 266 police reports from January 1, 2023, to July 24, 2026, for possible signs of human trafficking. As part of the review, 20 investigations resulted in 244 criminal charges being levied.
OPS says that in 2026, a new reporting category was added to “capture human trafficking-related information where no reportable human trafficking offence was identified”. They say this new reporting category has led to 152 new occurrences of human trafficking being identified.
The report also says 141 human trafficking occurrences were recorded in total between the beginning of 2023 and July 24, 2026. Of these reports, 19 individuals were charged, including 17 men between the ages of 22 and 41, and 2 women aged 17 and 36.
Finally, according to the release, 31% of human trafficking offenses between 2011 and 2021 in Canada involved crossing an international border.
Indicators of human trafficking
To help the public more easily identify potential signs of human trafficking and exploitation, OPS provided the following list of possible indicators.
The victim:
– 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
To learn more about the #NotInMyCity initiative or to see how you can help identify or report suspected human trafficking, you can read the OPS’ press release here.
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