Calgary country music star Paul Brandt has been named head of an Alberta task force aimed at taking on the scourge of human trafficking..“Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world, and it must be stopped. Serving as chair for the Alberta Human Trafficking Task Force is an immense privilege and responsibility, as we work together to protect those who are most vulnerable. Freedom should be for everybody,” said Brandt at a press conference Tuesday morning in Edmonton to launch the initiative..Brandt, for years, has run the anti-trafficking group Not in my City..“We will not tolerate human trafficking in Alberta,” he said..Premier Jason Kenney called human trafficking a “terrible crime, a scourge, a form of modern slavery..“Alberta should be a place where people can live safely, free from exploitation and coercion. Sadly, human trafficking exists in our province, and it is our duty to bring these human rights violations to light and do more to protect those at risk. This provincial Human Trafficking Task Force brings together knowledgeable and dedicated individuals to provide advice on protecting and empowering some of Alberta’s most vulnerable,” Kenney said.. Defying crackdown, hundreds march against lockdowns in Calgary .The task force, which meets for the first time Wednesday morning, will provide guidance and recommendations on supports for survivors, enhance collaboration among all stakeholders and organizations that work with survivors of human trafficking in order to prevent, protect and ensure their safety, engage experts to identify what actions are needed to bring transformational and sustainable change and provide recommendations to help government implement the nine-point action plan and lobby other levels of government to take coordinated action..Human Trafficking Task Force panel members.Paul Brandt, chair – country music superstar, founder of #NotInMyCity and anti-human trafficking advocateHeather Forsyth – former solicitor general and former minister of Children’s ServicesDale McFee – chief of police, Edmonton Police ServicesJan Fox – executive director, REACH EdmontonDouglas Reti – director, Backwoods Energy, and former RCMP director generalPatricia Vargas – director, Catholic Social ServicesTyler White – CEO, Siksika Health Services.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
