Joy Smith Foundation Foundation for Launch Labor Launch Labor Forced in Manitoba

Winnipeg, Manitoba, March 12, 2025 (Globe Newswire) – Labor traffic is a hidden and urgent problem in Manitoba, the victims were often constrained in uncertain working conditions through deceitful recruitment practices, retained salaries and threats. While work traffic exists in different industries in Canada, the Joy Smith Foundation is proud to announce an initiative focused in particular on supporting the truck industry, where traffic vulnerabilities have been identified.

Announced on the day of awareness of the traffic of persons in Manitoba (March 13), the initiative aims to raise awareness and empower workers, industry leaders and the community to recognize the signs of work traffic and take action.

“This initiative is the first of its kind in Canada, which shows what is possible when communities and industries are united against human trafficking,” says Janet Campbell, president and CEO of the Joy Smith Foundation. “The work traffic has been hidden in sight for too long. Focus on the truck industry, we do a crucial first step in exposing this crime. But real change requires everyone industry, law enforcement and communities that protect all and freedom of injustice.”

“Unfortunately, work traffic and immigration abuses are real problems in the truck industry. Many new drivers are required to make uncertain working conditions, without proper training or necessary skills.” says the Association of trucks in Manitoba. The Manitoba truck association is proud to associate with the Joy Smith Foundation to eliminate these practices, ensuring a better quality of life for those affected by these injustices. “

The initiative will launch a campaign with multilingual education, digital information and industry resources, aimed at informing professional drivers, truck leaders and public traffic signs. The campaign will also highlight how individuals can report suspected cases of safe and anonymous work through Stoppers Crime.

“Winnipeg Crime Stoppers is proud to associate with the Joy Smith Foundation in this new campaign.” says Robert Mackenzie, Winnipeg Crime Stoppers. Human

Traffic is a crime that affects the Canadians from the coast to the coast. This partnership strengthens us the common commitment to protect vulnerable people and make our communities safer for a stronger Canada. Winnipeg crime stops will pay cash for any tips that lead to arrest of traffickers. Types do not have to reveal their identity and your anonymity is guaranteed. The message is simple, you see something to say something. “

“The trafficking of people can happen to anyone at any time,” says the founder, lawyer and former member of Parliament, Joy Smith. “We know that work traffic is aimed at the most vulnerable among those looking for a better life in Canada. It is in front of us to make sure that our province leads the fight to prevent modern slavery here. “

The Joy Smith Foundation, in partnership with the Association of trucks in Manitoba and Stoppers Crime, undertakes to address the systemic problems that facilitate work traffic in Manitoba. This new initiative is based on the previous Foundation successes, including the 2023 National “See the traffic signs” The campaign, which has focused on preventing young people from being lured in sex trade.

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About Joy Smith Foundation

The Joy Smith Foundation works to provide access to information, so that every Canadian man, woman and child is educated and empowered to remain safe of manipulation, strength or abuse of power, designed to lure and exploit them in sexual trade or forced work.

About the National Education Center on human trafficking

The National Center for Education on trafficking in person offers courses for teachers, parents, first -rate respondents and all Canadians who want to play a role in the prevention and intervention of human trafficking. The courses conducted by the instructor and online have the length and are easily accessible through the center portal. Visit the National Education Center on human trafficking for more information and register for a course.

Fast facts

Work traffic is a form of modern slavery that is predominant in Canada and especially in Manitoba. Often they target temporary foreign workers, international students and newcomers to Canada looking for a job. The global index of slavery It suggests that about 69,000 people live in modern slavery in Canada.

Recent data reveals disturbing trends in the Manitoba truck industry:

• 39% of the truck companies that participated in the impact evaluation program on the labor market (LMIA) between 2019 and 2023 are no longer operational, leaving the fate of hundreds of foreign workers recruited.
• Small companies of trucks (with less than 15 trucks) have employed on average 192% of the size of their fleet through foreign workforce, demonstrating a heavy dependence of LMIA permits.
• Many victims of work traffic do not recognize their own exploitation or have access to the resources needed to request help.