The City of Prince George will be the first municipality to join the Human Trafficking Prevention Network of British Columbia, city staff said at the Tuesday, April 1 meeting of the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs.
Speaking at the meeting, Eric Depenau, director of administrative services, said the network’s board has accepted the city’s application and that a signing ceremony to mark the occasion is being planned for the first or second week of May.
The network was formed in February 2024, with Shell Canada serving as chair and former Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin as honorary patron.
Other members include the BC Lions, the BC Native Women’s Association, the Port of Vancouver, the Vancouver Police Department, and Vancouver International Airport.
On July 22, 2024, Prince George city council voted to support Mayor Simon Yu’s call for the city to join the network and to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic.
The vote included approval for a statement of support to be signed, declaring the city’s intention to join the network.
“The fact that we are the first municipality, the first local government in BC to sign onto this pledge is pretty significant,” said committee chair Coun. Garth Frizzell at the April 1 meeting.
“Out at the airport, they have also taken very visible steps against human trafficking, so this community is really stepping up to say we don’t want it. Next will be the actions we need to take to ensure we can help victims and educate people on how to identify it.”
Coun. Brian Skakun thanked Frizzell for leading the charge to get Prince George to act on human trafficking.
After the meeting, Depenau told the Citizen that the network’s last meeting in February was postponed after Austin departed her role and was replaced by Wendy Cocchia on Jan. 30.
