Nova Scotia and Ontario had the highest rates of police-reported human trafficking in Canada last year, according to a new Statistics Canada report.
In 2024, Guelph had the highest rate among cities, with 11 incidents per 100,000 people. Halifax followed with 7.5, and Thunder Bay with 6.1. The average rate for major cities across Canada was much lower, at 1.6.
Among provinces, Nova Scotia reported the highest rate at 4.5 incidents per 100,000 people, well above the national rate of 1.5. Ontario, P.E.I., New Brunswick and Saskatchewan also reported higher-than-average rates.
Report author Danielle Sutton-Preddie said the true number of human trafficking cases is likely much higher because many victims don’t come forward, and police reporting methods can vary. Some traffickers may even have been victims themselves.
Ontario’s higher numbers are linked to its large population and major travel routes, while Nova Scotia’s coastal location makes it a key point for moving victims. Police in Nova Scotia say increased awareness and better reporting options also play a role.
Nova Scotia’s police-reported trafficking numbers have dropped 44 per cent since 2020. Women and girls make up more than 90 per cent of victims.
Danielle Hodges from the YWCA in Halifax said many victims don’t realize they’re being trafficked at first. She said it often starts with promises of quick money or a new relationship, and it can be hard to leave without stable housing, income, or support.
“It can happen to anyone,” she said. “Traffickers take advantage of people’s vulnerabilities.”
