Alberta allocates $5.5M for trafficking prevention amid childcare funding disputes

The Alberta government has announced a $5.5 million investment to combat human trafficking and support survivors. Distributed through the Combatting Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) grant, the funding aims to bolster law enforcement and community agency capacity to identify and respond to exploitation.

Approximately $2.7 million will be allocated to existing organizations, including the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) and the Salvation Army, to provide stabilization for crisis support and housing. An additional $2.8 million will be available through open applications for projects focused on public awareness and trauma-informed practices. Since 2023, the province has provided a total of $11.3 million to non-profit organizations in this sector.

Separately, Alberta has not yet implemented the $10-a-day childcare program promised by Premier Danielle Smith for 2026. While the province currently covers nearly 80 per cent of childcare costs under a federal agreement—offering $15-a-day care—officials state the $10-a-day model is financially unsustainable. The federal government is currently engaging with the province regarding the discrepancy.