21
February
2025
|
08:46
America/Los_Angeles

How YVR is joining the fight against human trafficking

Today, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is proud to join experts, advocates, and airport partners at the 2025 Convening of the Human Trafficking Prevention Network of British Columbia. Hosted at Terminal City Club Vancouver, this annual event provides a key opportunity to share best practices, strengthen prevention efforts, and reaffirm our commitment to combating human trafficking in Canada. Representing YVR at the event is Barbara Maloney, Director, Security & Operational Safety.

This year also marks a significant milestone in our commitment to this issue—YVR’s first anniversary as a member of the Human Trafficking Prevention Network of British Columbia. In addition, we continue to build on our partnership with Not In My City, which began in November 2023, reinforcing our dedication to raising awareness, training employees, and collaborating with key stakeholders to disrupt human trafficking networks.

Human trafficking remains one of the fastest-growing crimes in Canada, disproportionately affecting individuals under 25, as well as Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. With traffickers frequently exploiting transportation corridors, airports have a critical role to play in disrupting these networks and supporting prevention efforts.

  • Over the past year, YVR has taken significant steps in this fight:
  • 78% of our employees have completed training to recognize the signs of human trafficking at the airport.
  • In June 2024, we hosted a Lunch and Learn on Human Trafficking Awareness with Vincent Ng from Be Amazing, shedding light on the issue’s impact in Richmond.
  • Throughout the summer, our Seeing Yellow campaign featured digital signage and stickers at Info Counters, while 15% of YVR fleet vehicles—along with 100% of AB Coast and Securiguard Core Vehicles—displayed Not In My City's yellow rose stickers as a sign of solidarity.
  • On July 30, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, YVR marked the occasion by lighting the tower yellow and launching a donation-matching campaign for YVR Cares Socks, raising $1,994 for the cause.
  • As part of the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we hosted a Lunch & Learn for WestJet staff at YVR in December.

“The more awareness we bring to the issue of human trafficking, the harder it is for traffickers to hurt victims. Empowered individuals will not be trafficked because they are less vulnerable,” said Rosanna Imbrogno, Vice-President Operations at Not In My City. “YVR’s commitment to training staff and engaging with the broader network is making a tangible difference in strengthening prevention efforts.”

Human trafficking is a complex issue that requires collective action. At YVR, we are committed to playing our part by raising awareness, supporting prevention efforts, and working alongside our partners to disrupt trafficking networks. But everyone has a role to play. By recognizing the signs of human trafficking and knowing how to report concerns, we can all help protect vulnerable individuals.

To learn more about human trafficking prevention and how you can take action, visit Not In My City or the Human Trafficking Hotline.