Inside the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking’s new report
The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking (CCTEHT) has published a new report drawing from data collected by the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline between 2019 and 2024.
The Hotline is a confidential, trauma-informed service available 365 days a year. It provides support through phone, web chat, email, and online forms, with services offered in both English and French. The Hotline assists anyone impacted by human trafficking by offering reliable information and connections to appropriate supports and services.
Call volume to the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline continues to rise, reaching an all-time high in 2024. In 2020, the hotline received over 2,600 calls. By 2024, that number had jumped to over 5,100 from victims, survivors, and others affected by human trafficking. In total, nearly 23,000 calls were received between 2019 and 2024.
“It’s tough to see call volumes and case numbers rise,” says Julia Drydyk, executive director at the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking. “But it tells us something important: more people are being identified, believed, and know where to turn for support. That shift gives us hope for meaningful, long-term change — and for a Canada free from human trafficking.”
Rising labour trafficking cases
Sex trafficking remains the most common form of human trafficking identified by the Hotline. However, the number of reported labour trafficking cases has increased significantly. Last year, labour trafficking cases reported to the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline increased by more than 300% compared to the average number of cases identified between 2020 and 2022.
“The 317% surge in labour trafficking cases is likely due to a mix of factors, many of them tied to people feeling safer in coming forward,” notes Drydyk. “For example, the Centre and its partners launched a campaign in 2023 to raise awareness of labour trafficking. Those efforts helped more workers recognise the signs of exploitation and reach out for support. Increased media attention has also played a role. Major police operations, national reporting, and the UN special rapporteur’s findings on Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program all helped to bring labour exploitation into the public eye.”
The report also draws attention to a troubling truth: migrant workers continue to face increased risks of labour trafficking and exploitation across Canada.
“We’re seeing the same national trends reflected in our own caseload,” says Carey Collins, ACT Alberta’s executive director. “All of our labour trafficking clients are migrant workers, many of whom are facing unsafe working conditions, threats of deportation, wage theft, and other forms of abuse.”
Systemic barriers and inequalities faced by many migrant workers create conditions where exploitation can take hold. Factors such as employer-dependent immigration status, limited access to information in a worker’s first language, and isolation from community supports increase vulnerability and often make it difficult for workers to access the support and resources they need.
“This report makes one thing clear: people across Canada are still being exploited in ways that aren’t always visible, and many face real barriers when trying to reach safety,” says Drydyk. “Further, the sharp rise in labour trafficking, and the risks facing temporary foreign workers, underscore how urgently systems need to change.”
Trafficking is not limited to urban areas
Human trafficking is not confined to any single region of Canada. It occurs in every province and territory, in both urban and rural communities. Data found in the CCTEHT report shows that nearly 1 in 6 trafficking incidents occurred in small towns, rural settings and medium-sized centres.
While reports of human trafficking remain more prevalent in urban centres, it’s important to note that despite relatively low total numbers, smaller jurisdictions are often disproportionately impacted by human trafficking. Additionally, victims and survivors outside major urban centres often face greater barriers to safety, with limited access to services and appropriate shelter options, and fewer specialized police units.
“Ensuring that support exists beyond our major cities is essential,” says Collins. “Human trafficking can happen in any community, and it’s critical that survivors and those at risk have access to the resources and support they need, whether they’re in a large urban center or a small town.”
Continuing the fight against human trafficking in Canada
While the data in this report highlights the serious and ongoing challenges of human trafficking, it also shows progress. More people are coming forward, more cases are being identified, and more people know where to access support.
“What gives us hope, always, is the courage of victims and survivors,” shares Drydyk. “Every call to the hotline represents someone taking an enormous step toward safety — sharing their experience, asking for support or simply reaching out to see what options might exist.
That takes strength. And it’s important to underscore just how instrumental victims and survivors are in crafting their exits.”
By continuing to raise awareness, strengthen services, and address the systemic barriers that allow exploitation to persist, we can make meaningful strides toward a Canada free from human trafficking. The fight is far from over, but together, we can create lasting change.
View the full report by the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking to learn more.