joy smith foundation

About Us

Our Mission

The Joy Smith Foundation works to provide access to information so that every Canadian man, woman and child is educated and empowered to stay safe from manipulation, force, or abuse of power designed to lure and exploit them in the sex trade or forced labour.
joy smith

Joy Smith's Story

Joy Smith’s journey, and the history behind the Foundation, are testimony that the actions of one individual can make a difference for so many others.
 
Joy jumped into action after learning no laws yet existed in Canada to protect victims, or to bring perpetrators to justice. She decided to run, and won, a seat in the Manitoba Legislature in 1999. In 2004, she became a Member of Parliament and made Canadian history as the first sitting MP to amend the Criminal Code twice, strengthening sentencing for traffickers and expanding Canadian laws to reach internationally. 
 
In 2011, Joy founded the Joy Smith Foundation and with the help of volunteers and supporters, continues to advocate and raise awareness for this important issue across Canada and around the world. 

As Canada’s leading authority on the prevention and intervention of human trafficking, and the first organization in the country to focus on coordinating regionalized resources and services, the Joy Smith Foundation’s commitment to ending human trafficking is stronger than ever. We are in a period of growth and proudly building on our history with the National Human Trafficking Education Centre which was launched in the Fall of 2021. In 2021, we also welcomed  Janet Campbell as our new President and CEO.

Our History


1976
Joy Smith started teaching career in Manitoba.
1994
Joy gives seminars on "How to Protect Your Child from Internet Predators” to generate awareness. To her surprise, young victims came forward with stories that moved Joy to act further.
1994
Joy realizes no Canadian laws exist to protect victims or to bring perpetrators to justice.
1999
Joy wins a seat in the Manitoba Legislature. Continues working to rescue and rehabilitate survivors.
2004
Joy is elected Member of Parliament to give a voice to the vulnerable young victims by building awareness of the issue among colleagues and contacts in the highest levels of government.
2010

Bill C-268 passed, enshrining mandatory minimum sentencing for traffickers of children 18 years and younger in Canada’s Criminal Code.

2010

Joy developed Canada’s National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking so that law enforcement and social agencies work toward better enforcement of the new laws.

2012

Bill C-310 passed, with unanimous consent, to reach the long arm of Canadian law into other countries where Canadian citizens or permanent residents traffic or exploit others abroad. Joy makes history as the first sitting MP to amend the Criminal Code twice to better protect victims of human trafficking.

2012
The Joy Smith Foundation Inc. launched October 27, 2012 in Toronto, Ontario.
2015
Joy retired from Parliament to volunteer full-time for her Foundation. The Foundation evolved from its sole focus on providing funds to shelter organizations, to include a focus on prevention and awareness programs.
2016

Joy travelled from coast to coast filming an educational documentary to tell Canada’s authentic story of human trafficking. "Human Trafficking: Canada’s Secret Shame" is the culmination of the Joy Smith Foundation’s efforts to educate the Canadian public on human trafficking. 

2019
The Foundation now includes arms in Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. The focus further shifts toward education to make students, teachers and parents aware of what human trafficking looks like in Canada.
2021
Janet Campbell appointed President and CEO.
October 2021

The National Human Trafficking Education Centre now provides service and assistance to survivors and their families across Canada.

Joy Smith

Founder
Joy is passionate about working on the frontlines where she feels her contribution delivers the most impact: educating Canadians on preventing human trafficking and helping victims connect with the resources they need for recovery.  She is a highly-respected authority on human trafficking and an in-demand speaker.

Janet Campbell

CEO and President
Janet brings a wealth of business experience having directed growth in several organizations and successfully leading in complex environments. She has been actively involved in the Foundation since its inception as a dedicated volunteer and in an advisory position on the Foundation Board. 

We're in the News

As a leading authority on the prevention and intervention of human trafficking in Canada, we are often in the news, helping to raise awareness and educate Canadians. Here are links to some of our more recent news stories.
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Join us as we raise funds to provide education, intervention and prevention programs to protect Canadians from human trafficking.  Your donation will help us support survivors from the point of rescue through the process of finding justice and beyond.
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