Dear Ally,
We’re heading into another summer of #SeeingYellow, as momentum across Canada continues to grow in the fight against human trafficking and sexual exploitation. From powerful community events and new awareness campaigns to expanding frontline training and cross-sector partnerships, individuals, organizations, and industries are stepping forward to create safer communities. Whether through art, advocacy, hospitality, or law enforcement collaboration, each initiative reflects a shared commitment to education, prevention, and action. Together, these efforts are strengthening awareness and driving meaningful change from coast to coast.
Read on to explore #NotInMyCity’s newest initiatives and milestone moments.
| In This Issue: – Art For A Cause: Buffalo Bones With Paul Brandt At Deane House – Intelligence Without Borders: The Maddison Sessions 2026 – #NIMC Billboards On Ontario’s Highway 401 – Documentary Featuring #NIMC Nominated In Yorkton Film Festival – New Allies Join #NIMC In The Fight Against Trafficking – Saskatchewan Partners With #NIMC For IAHTI Training – Seeing Yellow: Hospitality Partners Shine A Light On Human Trafficking – Motors & Music Event Raises BIG Funds With BIG Style – HER Victory: A Frontline Response To Exploitation In Calgary – Wear Our Yellow Rose and Support The Cause |
ART FOR A CAUSE: BUFFALO BONES WITH PAUL BRANDT AT DEANE HOUSE
The Buffalo Bones art auction, presented by #NotInMyCity and Pure West Art Auction at Calgary’s historic Deane House, brought together artists, collectors, and community supporters on Sunday, June 21, to raise funds and awareness to help prevent human trafficking in Canada. The event was a meaningful day of connection and impact while celebrating Western art and music.
INTELLIGENCE WITHOUT BORDERS: THE MADDISON SESSIONS 2026
The Maddison Sessions (TMS), powered by #NotInMyCity, is an annual law enforcement conference that brings together law enforcement, crown prosecutors, and survivors to share best practices and resources in the fight against human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Canada. Held in Montreal in April, the fourth annual TMS was the most attended to date, continuing to grow as an important space for collaboration and learning. Centred around the theme “Intelligence Without Borders,” this year’s event focused on the importance of sharing information, breaking down silos, and working together across agencies, sectors, and even countries to better protect communities from trafficking.
Maddison Sessions Media coverage: Click Here!
DRIVERS CAN NOW SPOT #NIMC BILLBOARDS ON ONTARIO’S HIGHWAY 401
We’re incredibly proud to partner with Grand River Transit and Pattison Outdoor to shine a light on human trafficking through high-visibility billboards and bus shelter ads. Highway 401 is one of North America’s busiest highways, stretching across Southern Ontario and connecting major cities like Windsor, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Toronto, and beyond. Its high traffic volume and direct access to key urban centers unfortunately make it a known corridor for human trafficking activity. Placing our message here ensures it reaches thousands of drivers daily, including those who may unknowingly be in a position to recognize and report suspicious activity. Huge thanks to Grand River Transit, Pattison Outdoor, and Waterloo Regional Police for standing with #NotInMyCity to educate communities and protect those at risk. Together, we’re making it harder for trafficking to hide in plain sight.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURING #NOTINMYCITY NOMINATED IN YORKTON FILM FESTIVAL
#NotInMyCity Founders Paul and Liz Brandt are proud to share their story, and the story of their humanitarian efforts, in a new documentary short. This inspiring short is written, directed and produced by Monique Barrie, and was a nominee in the Yorkton Film Festival for Documentary Short (Under 15 Mins). It’s an honour to highlight the Founders behind our organization, and bring more attention to the issue of human trafficking in Canada through film and art. Thank you to Monique and the amazing crew who brought this documentary to life!
Stay tuned for more details on how you can watch the documentary!
NEW ALLIES JOIN #NIMC IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TRAFFICKING
- Waterloo Regional Police Service has partnered with Conestoga Mall to support the #NotInMyCity awareness initiative. The mall will introduce awareness-focused signage to provide clear, accessible information that helps educate the public on recognizing potential signs of human trafficking and directs individuals to available support resources.
- The Prairie Creek Inn, a small luxury property located in a quiet, rural setting, is using #NotInMyCity education and awareness materials to avoid misuse by those involved in exploitation.
- Maintain Aviation Services is a Canadian aviation services company that provides ground handling and operational support for regional, national, and international airlines. Maintair plays an essential behind-the-scenes role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and timely movement of aircraft, passengers, and cargo.
- Fairview Park in Kitchener, Ontario, is pleased to partner with #NotInMyCity, including staff involvement in learning and training courses to identify the signs of human trafficking and awareness campaigns throughout the organization.
“Maintair Aviation is proud to stand alongside #NotInMyCity in the fight against human trafficking, supporting critical efforts to raise awareness, strengthen prevention, and protect the most vulnerable members of our communities. As an organization, we believe that businesses have both the opportunity and the responsibility to be a force for good, using internal training and platforms to drive meaningful change beyond our core operations. Together, we can help ensure that every individual is treated with dignity and respect, and that our cities and airports are places where exploitation has no place,” – Sean Davies, Co-Owner/ Operator of Maintair Aviation.
SASKATCHEWAN PARTNERS WITH #NIMC FOR IHATI TRAINING
Saskatchewan is partnering with #NotInMyCity to deliver specialized human trafficking training to police across the province. Funded by the Government of Saskatchewan’s National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, the program will be delivered by the International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators this fall. It will equip RCMP, municipal, Indigenous, highway, and marshal services with tools to better identify trafficking, strengthen investigations, and improve victim-centred, cross-agency responses. Officials say the training builds on prior collaboration and aims to enhance coordination and frontline capacity to better detect and disrupt human trafficking in Saskatchewan communities.
SEEING YELLOW: HOSPITALITY PARTNERS HELP SHINE A LIGHT ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Hotels and restaurants are #SeeingYellow this summer with custom cocktails, with proceeds helping advance #NotInMyCity’s education, advocacy, and frontline support efforts. The ongoing Seeing Yellow Campaign raises awareness and encourages communities to stand together against sexual exploitation and human trafficking in Canada.
- The Prairie Creek Inn and Heartstone Restaurant is proud to launch three special cocktails and a mocktail in support of #NotInMyCity’s Seeing Yellow Campaign during the month of June. Their cocktails (including “The Maddison”) are named in honour of Maddison Fraser, a young woman whose life was tragically impacted by human trafficking.
- Delta Hotels by Marriott, including six Calgary venues and Ocean Point in Victoria, are offering #SeeingYellow cocktails until July 25, with proceeds directly supporting #NotInMyCity.
- The Westin Calgary Downtown is offering a signature #SeeingYellow cocktail in the hotel’s dining outlets, with proceeds helping advance #NotInMyCity’s education, advocacy, and frontline support efforts.
Join The Seeing Yellow Campaign: Click Here!
“Our responsibility extends beyond hospitality—we are part of a community, and that means standing up for its most vulnerable members. Partnering with #NotInMyCity allows us to support meaningful action against human trafficking and exploitation. We are proud to join this movement and use our platform to help raise awareness and inspire collective change.” — Peter Catarino, General Manager, The Westin Calgary Downtown
MOTORS & MUSIC EVENT RAISES BIG FUNDS WITH BIG STYLE
The Motors & Music charity event held in April in support of #NotInMyCity and LIFTED. Founded by Dallas Smith, LIFTED is a compassionate initiative dedicated to supporting the well-being of youth in need. We’re honoured to work alongside Lifted because we know mental health matters deeply in the fight against human trafficking. When our kids are mentally healthy, supported, and empowered, they are far less vulnerable to exploitation.
Thank you to the entire team at Motors & Music for putting together a spectacular experience in support of these important causes!
HER VICTORY: A FRONTLINE RESPONSE TO EXPLOITATION IN CALGARY
At #NotInMyCity, we believe that real change happens when communities come together around frontline organizations doing the hard, beautiful, daily work — and HER Victory is doing exactly that. Founded in 2019 by Jacquie Meyer, HER Victory is a Calgary-based organization dedicated to supporting women impacted by sexual exploitation, trafficking, addiction, and violence. From the very beginning, their approach has been built on one simple but profound principle: meet women exactly where they are with dignity, compassion, and no judgment. We’re proud to support their work in the community!
Read more about Jacquie and HER Victory: Click Here!
WEAR OUR YELLOW ROSE AND SUPPORT THE CAUSE
#NotInMyCity collaborates with a variety of local designers and businesses to create wearable items that are thoughtfully designed to increase awareness and generate funds to support our initiatives. From jewelry and accessories to clothing and decals, the store is stocked with items to fit every style. Every person who wears our yellow rose is standing with us as an Ally, and helping to disrupt human trafficking in our community.
Visit Our Online Store: Click Here!
| DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE? Our team would be happy to hear from you! Tell us how our e-learning has impacted your perspective on human trafficking or increased awareness in your workplace. If you are a survivor or you know someone with a story to share, please email us at info@notinmycity.ca. You may remain anonymous if you choose. |
To learn more about how you can be an ally, and to stay tuned for future fundraising events, follow #NotInMyCity on Instagram or Facebook!
