SASKATOON - The Government of Saskatchewan has announced that it will contribute $100,000 toward The Maddison Sessions, hosted by #NotInMyCity in Saskatoon this upcoming spring, as part of its commitment to address interpersonal violence in the province.
Canadian country star Paul Brandt founded #NotInMyCity in 2017. In 2023, the organization launched the first Maddison Sessions conference in Lake Louise, Alta., for frontline investigators, including police officers and crown prosecutors, to share knowledge and resources to combat human trafficking across Canada. A second conference was held in Kelowna, British Columbia, in 2024.
The Maddison Sessions is named in honour of Maddison Fraser, who lost her life as a victim of human trafficking in Alberta. This summit helps frontline investigators develop a network of contacts at a national level to work together to combat human trafficking, sexual exploitation and gender-based violence.
"Awareness, combined with a 'no borders' approach to law enforcement ends exploitation," founder and CEO of #NotInMyCity Paul Brandt said. "The Government of Saskatchewan's support of 'The Maddison Sessions', a national front-line human trafficking investigator operational summit, sends a powerful message that human trafficking will not be tolerated in Saskatchewan. Not here. Not anywhere."
Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Laura Ross and Minister of Justice and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre joined Brandt at an announcement this morning.
"Awareness, prevention and intervention are all necessary to stop human trafficking and help those affected by this horrible crime," Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Laura Ross said. "Our government has launched an awareness campaign, and we fund programs and services. Now, by partnering with #NotInMyCity, by helping to bring together those in law enforcement working on the frontlines, we can do more to support survivors and help them find justice."
"This is part of the Government of Saskatchewan's investment of $27 million this year to combat interpersonal violence," Justice Minister and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre said. "We are doing everything we can to extend protection to victims, increase enforcement and promote awareness about human trafficking and its consequences."
Funding from the Saskatchewan Government is provided through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
"Human trafficking is an abhorrent crime and all levels of government must collaborate to eliminate it from Canada," Women and Gender Equality and Youth Minister Marci Ien said. "The federal government is urgently participating in this effort through the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, which is funding initiatives like The Maddison Sessions that work on the frontlines to address human trafficking and support survivors."
