Human traffickers are using Canada's highways and airports to move victims between major cities, with Ontario often serving as a starting point. The most commonly used corridor is between Toronto and Vancouver, followed by routes such as Edmonton to Fort McMurray and Calgary to Edmonton.

Mapping Human Trafficking Routes

Researchers from Thomson Reuters analyzed thousands of sex advertisements posted online over the past decade to identify patterns and corridors used by traffickers. They found that ads claiming to feature Indigenous women or girls were often posted in different locations, indicating the movement of victims across the country. The data suggests that traffickers are exploiting resource-extraction sites, which can create demand for sex services in areas near major projects.

The Thomson Reuters report, titled "Unseen, Unknown, and Unsolved: Disappearances and Trafficking of Indigenous Individuals in Canada & the United States," highlights the need for policymakers and law enforcement to work together to detect, prevent, and respond to human trafficking. The report also notes that Indigenous women and girls in the US share similar vulnerabilities to those in Canada, and that both countries face challenges in obtaining data on these cases.

Resource Extraction and Human Trafficking

The report found that resource-extraction sites are often linked to human trafficking cases, with "man camps" near construction sites creating demand for sex services. Hennes Doltze, project lead of EmpowerMen, said that educating men to challenge the norms of sexual exploitation is crucial in preventing human trafficking. "If we're able to create more policies and frameworks that directly address this issue of demand with these men, without fear or stigma and with direct intervention, we can prevent so much of this issue from proliferating the way it has," he said.

Chief Sheri Taylor of Ginoogaming First Nation emphasized the need for awareness and action to prevent human trafficking. "We have warned the provincial government and Ottawa about how our community is vulnerable to human trafficking," she said. "We need all Canadians to be aware and to stop treating our women like their lives don't matter."

Next Steps in Combating Human Trafficking

The Thomson Reuters report recommends that law enforcement incorporate sex-ad analysis into active investigations, as seen in a case in Minnesota where investigators used this approach to locate a missing Indigenous woman. Taylor Wencel, an intelligence specialist for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office in Minnesota, said that every missing person deserves every available investigative resource. The report also highlights the importance of cooperation between jurisdictions to combat human trafficking, with the movement of victims across borders requiring a coordinated response.

  • 38 active and unresolved disappearances of Indigenous women and girls in Canada from May 2025 to March 2026
  • The most commonly used human trafficking corridors in Canada include Toronto to Vancouver and Edmonton to Fort McMurray
  • Resource-extraction sites are often linked to human trafficking cases, with "man camps" creating demand for sex services

The issue of human trafficking requires continued attention and action from policymakers, law enforcement, and community leaders. As the Thomson Reuters report highlights, addressing the root causes of human trafficking, including demand for sex services, is crucial in preventing these crimes. By working together, it is possible to make progress in combating human trafficking and ensuring the safety and dignity of Indigenous women and girls.