For Immediate Release
March 13, 2025
Winnipeg, MB - Labour trafficking is a hidden and urgent issue in Manitoba, with victims often
coerced into unsafe working conditions through deceptive recruitment practices, withheld
wages, and threats of retaliation. While labour trafficking exists across various industries in
Canada, The Joy Smith Foundation is proud to announce an initiative focused specifically on
supporting the trucking industry, where vulnerabilities to trafficking have been identified.
Announced on Manitoba Human Trafficking Awareness Day (March 13), the initiative aims to
raise awareness and empower workers, industry leaders, and the community to recognize the
signs of labour trafficking and take action.
“This initiative is the first of its kind in Canada, showing what’s possible when communities and
industries unite against human trafficking,” says Janet Campbell, President and CEO of The Joy
Smith Foundation. “Labour trafficking has been hidden in plain sight for too long. By focusing on
the trucking industry, we’re taking a crucial first step in exposing this crime. But real change
requires everyone—industry, law enforcement, and communities—protecting everyone’s dignity
and freedom from injustice.”
“Unfortunately, labour trafficking and immigration abuses are real issues in the trucking industry.
Many new drivers are forced into unsafe working conditions without proper training or necessary
skills.” says the Manitoba Trucking Association. “Those who condone these practices
compromise human rights, labour standards, and safety, undermining the trucking industry at
the expense of individuals who deserve much better. The Manitoba Trucking Association is
proud to partner 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 materials, digital outreach, and
industry-specific resources aimed at informing professional drivers, trucking company leaders,
and the public about the signs of labour trafficking. The campaign will also highlight how
individuals can report suspected cases of labour trafficking safely and anonymously through
Crime Stoppers.
“Winnipeg Crime Stoppers is proud to partner with the Joy Smith Foundation on this new
campaign.” says Robert MacKenzie, Winnipeg Crime Stoppers. “By collaborating our efforts,
we can raise awareness, support survivors, and help bring traffickers to justice. Human
trafficking is a crime impacting Canadians from coast to coast. This partnership strengthens our
shared commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and making our communities safer for a
stronger Canada. Winnipeg Crime Stoppers will pay cash for any tips that lead to the arrest of
human traffickers. Tipsters never have to reveal their identity and your anonymity is guaranteed.
The message is simple, see something say something.”
“Human trafficking can happen to anyone at any time,” says founder, advocate and former
Member of Parliament, Joy Smith. “We know that labour trafficking targets the most vulnerable
among those seeking a better life in Canada. It is incumbent on us to ensure our province is
leading the fight to prevent modern day slavery here.”
The Joy Smith Foundation, in partnership with the Manitoba Trucking Association and Crime
Stoppers, is committed to addressing the systemic issues that facilitate labour trafficking in
Manitoba. This new initiative builds on the foundation’s previous successes, including the 2023
national “See the Trafficking Signs” campaign, which focused on preventing youth from being
lured into the sex trade.
March 13, 2025
Winnipeg, MB - Labour trafficking is a hidden and urgent issue in Manitoba, with victims often
coerced into unsafe working conditions through deceptive recruitment practices, withheld
wages, and threats of retaliation. While labour trafficking exists across various industries in
Canada, The Joy Smith Foundation is proud to announce an initiative focused specifically on
supporting the trucking industry, where vulnerabilities to trafficking have been identified.
Announced on Manitoba Human Trafficking Awareness Day (March 13), the initiative aims to
raise awareness and empower workers, industry leaders, and the community to recognize the
signs of labour trafficking and take action.
“This initiative is the first of its kind in Canada, showing what’s possible when communities and
industries unite against human trafficking,” says Janet Campbell, President and CEO of The Joy
Smith Foundation. “Labour trafficking has been hidden in plain sight for too long. By focusing on
the trucking industry, we’re taking a crucial first step in exposing this crime. But real change
requires everyone—industry, law enforcement, and communities—protecting everyone’s dignity
and freedom from injustice.”
“Unfortunately, labour trafficking and immigration abuses are real issues in the trucking industry.
Many new drivers are forced into unsafe working conditions without proper training or necessary
skills.” says the Manitoba Trucking Association. “Those who condone these practices
compromise human rights, labour standards, and safety, undermining the trucking industry at
the expense of individuals who deserve much better. The Manitoba Trucking Association is
proud to partner 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 materials, digital outreach, and
industry-specific resources aimed at informing professional drivers, trucking company leaders,
and the public about the signs of labour trafficking. The campaign will also highlight how
individuals can report suspected cases of labour trafficking safely and anonymously through
Crime Stoppers.
“Winnipeg Crime Stoppers is proud to partner with the Joy Smith Foundation on this new
campaign.” says Robert MacKenzie, Winnipeg Crime Stoppers. “By collaborating our efforts,
we can raise awareness, support survivors, and help bring traffickers to justice. Human
trafficking is a crime impacting Canadians from coast to coast. This partnership strengthens our
shared commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and making our communities safer for a
stronger Canada. Winnipeg Crime Stoppers will pay cash for any tips that lead to the arrest of
human traffickers. Tipsters never have to reveal their identity and your anonymity is guaranteed.
The message is simple, see something say something.”
“Human trafficking can happen to anyone at any time,” says founder, advocate and former
Member of Parliament, Joy Smith. “We know that labour trafficking targets the most vulnerable
among those seeking a better life in Canada. It is incumbent on us to ensure our province is
leading the fight to prevent modern day slavery here.”
The Joy Smith Foundation, in partnership with the Manitoba Trucking Association and Crime
Stoppers, is committed to addressing the systemic issues that facilitate labour trafficking in
Manitoba. This new initiative builds on the foundation’s previous successes, including the 2023
national “See the Trafficking Signs” campaign, which focused on preventing youth from being
lured into the sex trade.
*** For release on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 11:00 AM. EST.
Winnipeg Crime Stoppers join hands in the nationwide campaign against Organized Retail Theft & Illicit Trade Awareness Campaign
Today, Winnipeg Crime Stoppers and the Winnipeg Police Service, are launching a nationwide Organized Retail Theft & Illicit Trade Awareness Campaign.
Organized retail theft has become a highly profitable criminal enterprise, costing Canadian retailers approximately $9.1 billion annually in revenues. Beyond the financial toll, the rise in violence associated with these crimes is a growing concern for retail business owners, jeopardizing the safety of both consumers and retail employees.
The Winnipeg Police Service released statistics summarizing the results of the retail theft awareness initiative conducted during the summer of 2024. Between June 8 and October 31, 2024, police arrested nearly 800 people and recovered over $65,000 in stolen merchandise.The initiative's success was attributed to a three-pronged approach: targeted enforcement within specific communities, a visible presence inside retail establishments, and engagement with businesses and organizations.
The objective of the campaign is to raise awareness about the growing issue of organized retail theft and illicit trade. It also encourages citizens to anonymously report individuals involved in retail theft or other criminal activities through Winnipeg Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477), online at winnipegcrimestoppers.org, or directly to the police in urgent situations where anonymity is not required.
The campaign will feature a digital campaign, educating the community about the costs associated with this type of crime. In addition, the campaign encourages consumers to visit a web link—ItCostsUsAll.com—to learn more about the costs of organized retail theft to Canadians and Manitobans alike.
Quotes:
“Drawing inspiration from the nationwide efforts sparked by Toronto Crime Stoppers, we’re addressing a pressing challenge right here in Winnipeg. Organized retail theft and illicit trade are profitable crimes that endanger both employees and shoppers. I’m grateful to the Winnipeg Police Service for joining us in this campaign, and it’s critical that our community steps up—whether by sharing anonymous tips with Winnipeg Crime Stoppers or contacting the police in urgent situations. Together, we can protect our neighborhoods and make Winnipeg a safer place for all.” – Rob MacKenzie, Chair, Winnipeg Crime Stoppers
Contact Details
Rob
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 204-470-7486
Winnipeg Crime Stoppers join hands in the nationwide campaign against Organized Retail Theft & Illicit Trade Awareness Campaign
Today, Winnipeg Crime Stoppers and the Winnipeg Police Service, are launching a nationwide Organized Retail Theft & Illicit Trade Awareness Campaign.
Organized retail theft has become a highly profitable criminal enterprise, costing Canadian retailers approximately $9.1 billion annually in revenues. Beyond the financial toll, the rise in violence associated with these crimes is a growing concern for retail business owners, jeopardizing the safety of both consumers and retail employees.
The Winnipeg Police Service released statistics summarizing the results of the retail theft awareness initiative conducted during the summer of 2024. Between June 8 and October 31, 2024, police arrested nearly 800 people and recovered over $65,000 in stolen merchandise.The initiative's success was attributed to a three-pronged approach: targeted enforcement within specific communities, a visible presence inside retail establishments, and engagement with businesses and organizations.
The objective of the campaign is to raise awareness about the growing issue of organized retail theft and illicit trade. It also encourages citizens to anonymously report individuals involved in retail theft or other criminal activities through Winnipeg Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477), online at winnipegcrimestoppers.org, or directly to the police in urgent situations where anonymity is not required.
The campaign will feature a digital campaign, educating the community about the costs associated with this type of crime. In addition, the campaign encourages consumers to visit a web link—ItCostsUsAll.com—to learn more about the costs of organized retail theft to Canadians and Manitobans alike.
Quotes:
“Drawing inspiration from the nationwide efforts sparked by Toronto Crime Stoppers, we’re addressing a pressing challenge right here in Winnipeg. Organized retail theft and illicit trade are profitable crimes that endanger both employees and shoppers. I’m grateful to the Winnipeg Police Service for joining us in this campaign, and it’s critical that our community steps up—whether by sharing anonymous tips with Winnipeg Crime Stoppers or contacting the police in urgent situations. Together, we can protect our neighborhoods and make Winnipeg a safer place for all.” – Rob MacKenzie, Chair, Winnipeg Crime Stoppers
Contact Details
Rob
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 204-470-7486
December 2021
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For Immediate Release:
December 7, 2021 Locally-produced PSA addressing Winnipeg’s meth crisis receives international accolades Crime Stoppers wins Summit International and Crime Stoppers International awards for their province-wide meth reduction campaign Winnipeg, Manitoba – Crime Stoppers was awarded a Summit International Bronze Award for excellence in marketing and communications and a Crime Stopper International TV Media Award for their methamphetamine reduction initiative. The SoMETHing is Wrong public service campaign represented a collaboration between Winnipeg Crime Stoppers, Brandon Crime Stoppers and Manitoba Crime Stoppers and was launched in March 2020 with bus shelter posters, television spots and digital advertising. Key messaging was targeted at citizens to encourage them to give Crime Stoppers anonymous tips on the province’s drug dealers and importers. Contact information and calls to action in the campaign creative was included. Along with raising awareness and identifying meth dealers, the campaign also resulted in spin off benefits including the recovery of illegal firearms. “This has been a productive time for us,” said Winnipeg Crime Stoppers Chair Paul Johnson. “We are honoured to be recognized for our campaign’s creativity twice on the international stage. However, we are more interested in the awareness on the dangerous meth crisis we were able to bring to the world. This campaign was a community effort between the three Crime Stopper programs, its dedicated volunteers, the Manitoba Illicit Drug Task Force, Manitoba Justice, local media outlets for 50 % bonus air time and obtaining the services of talented marketing and video production professionals. Our common goal of public safety fuelled this campaign. We still have more work to do with this initiative and thankful that our Justice Minister recently announced funding to Crime Stoppers programs.” The SoMETHing is Wrong public awareness campaign was funded by the Manitoba Justice’s Criminal Property Forfeiture unit. Creative work was done partially in-kind by Winnipeg-based agencies Fawkes Advertising and Numan Productions. This joint initiative’s steering committee include Paul Johnson from Winnipeg Crime Stoppers, Rick Thomas from Brandon Crime Stoppers and Boris Nowosad from Manitoba Crime Stoppers. More information and links are available in the attached press kit. Virtual and in-person interviews are available to discuss the meth reduction initiative and its next steps. Since Winnipeg Crime Stoppers’ inception in 1984, over 123,000 tips via telephone, WebTips and text messages have been received from citizens. Winnipeg Crime Stoppers is based on the principal that for every crime committed, someone other than the criminal has important information that will lead to a solution. For more information, visit winnipegcrimestoppers.org and somethingiswrong.ca. -30- For media inquiries and interview opportunities, please contact Paul Johnson Telephone: 204.771.0472 |
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March 2020
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SOMETHINGISWRONG.CA LAUNCH
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November 8th, 2017
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THE CRIME STOPPERS PROMISE OF ANONYMITY: WHAT TIPSTERS NEED TO KNOW
By providing information that Crime Stoppers will share with law enforcement agencies, you are providing an important and valuable public service. We understand that disclosure of your identity might put you at risk. We do everything we can to protect your anonymity. However, that anonymity may be open to challenge in the following situations:
For a fuller explanation of these principles, help us to help you by reading and understanding the “Tipster Information” on the Canadian Crime Stoppers website. |
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