December 4, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
“Human trafficking is a crime that we can combat with the right supports and conditions in place. Stronger safeguards are needed to ensure vulnerable members of our community are protected at all costs.” – John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for The Regional Municipality of Durham
On Tuesday December 3rd, we proudly launched the 30th truck in support of the Know Human Trafficking Truck Advertising Campaign at Mackie Transportation – 280 Cordova Road, Oshawa.
The trailer we wrapped was graciously donated by Mackie Transport and sponsored by the Ajax Pickering Board of Trade and members; QJS Cleaning Services, The Lions Clubs of Durham Region, Smurfit Westrock, and Elexicon. There were over 65 attendees at the event, including 23 members from the Lion’s Clubs of Durham Region, Durham Regional Chair John Henry, Ajax Councillor Marilyn Crawford, Pieter Ciere Vice-President of Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers and Casandra Diamond Founder of BridgeNorth Women’s Mentorship & Advocacy Services, a survivor and anti-trafficking expert.
The event was hosted by Mackie Transportation and the Mackie family; Dean Mackie, Cindy Mackie, Sara Mackie and Shawn Mackie.
During the event, a number of sponsors and dignitaries spoke about the importance of this initiative and the need to educate the public about human trafficking. In her speech, Casandra Diamond stated that “There are more victims than you think there are, and they are younger than you think they are. Many victims are being transported up and down the same roads this trailer will be on. I hope this sign will help someone to reach out for help and continue to educate the Durham community.”
Sara Mackie added: “At Mackie Transportation, we believe that our drivers play a unique and pivotal role in the fight against this global crime. Our drivers are the eyes and ears of the road, and they often find themselves in places where human trafficking can occur. This is why we’ve chosen to take a stand and educate not only our team but also the communities we serve. By doing so, we can help identify and work towards trying to end trafficking.”
The Province of Ontario accounts for 65% of all police-reported human trafficking incidents in the country, with the Greater Toronto Area being identified as a “hotbed” for this heinous crime.
Between 2019 and 2022, the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline supported 2,170 victims and survivors of human trafficking across the country. By comparison, Victim Services of Durham Region alone supported over 1800 victims during that same time period.
The #KnowHumanTrafficking initiative is a campaign championed by the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada in partnership with the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers. Big Rig Wraps is proud to support this campaign by wrapping transport trucks and sending them across Canada with anti-human trafficking messaging and the “International Sign of Help Me.”
For more information about sponsoring a truck please contact Angela Baltkois 705 927 8809. Please visit www.knowhumantrafficking.com to learn more about this campaign.
