The Government of Saskatchewan has announced a new partnership with Canadian country musician Paul Brandt’s #NotInMyCity initiative to strengthen efforts to combat human trafficking across the province. Through the initiative, Saskatchewan will provide $100,000 in funding to support specialized human trafficking training for frontline law enforcement personnel.
The funding is being delivered through the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence and will support training programs led by the International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators. The training will be provided to Saskatchewan RCMP officers, municipal police services, marshals, highway transportation officers, and Indigenous police services during the fall of 2026.
According to the Government of Saskatchewan, the training will focus on enhancing investigative capacity, strengthening victim-centred approaches, and improving coordination among agencies responding to human trafficking cases. Officials stated that the initiative aims to equip frontline personnel with practical skills and knowledge needed to identify trafficking situations, support survivors, and investigate offenders more effectively.
Provincial ministers highlighted the importance of partnerships and collaborative approaches in addressing human trafficking and protecting vulnerable populations. Saskatchewan officials noted that human trafficking remains a complex and difficult-to-detect crime that requires coordinated action among governments, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations.
The partnership builds on Saskatchewan’s previous collaboration with #NotInMyCity, including the hosting of the Maddison Sessions Conference in Saskatoon in 2025. The conference brought together law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, and frontline investigators from across Canada to share strategies and resources related to combating human trafficking.
Founded by Paul Brandt in 2017, #NotInMyCity works to raise awareness of human trafficking and strengthen prevention, education, and response efforts across Canada. The organization launched the first Maddison Sessions conference in Alberta in 2023, followed by additional events in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
Paul Brandt stated that specialized training is critical because human trafficking often remains hidden and difficult to identify. He emphasized that strengthening investigative skills, improving victim-centred practices, and enhancing inter-agency coordination can help improve outcomes for survivors and support more effective law enforcement responses.
The federal government also acknowledged the importance of coordinated efforts to address human trafficking, noting that the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence supports initiatives aimed at prevention, protection, and improved victim support services.
Through the national action plan, Saskatchewan is expected to receive approximately $20.3 million in federal funding between 2023–24 and 2026–27 to support programs and services addressing interpersonal violence and abuse.
The province stated that it currently invests more than $70 million annually in initiatives focused on addressing interpersonal violence, abuse prevention, victim services, housing supports, legal resources, and human trafficking awareness programs.
Saskatchewan officials emphasized that the new training initiative forms part of broader provincial efforts to improve public safety, strengthen support systems for survivors, and enhance collaboration among agencies working to prevent and respond to human trafficking across the province.
