Country music star Paul Brandt has shifted his focus from the stage to advocating for stronger protections against child sexual abuse and exploitation in Canada. The multi-platinum artist, known for his signature cowboy style, expressed deep concern that Canada is “dropping the ball” on safeguarding its most vulnerable children, particularly following a Supreme Court decision that struck down mandatory one-year sentences for accessing child sexual abuse material.
Brandt’s Call to Action on Child Exploitation
Brandt, a respected figure in Canadian country music and a dedicated anti-human trafficking advocate for two decades, believes the Supreme Court’s decision, coupled with a perceived lack of swift government response, sends a dangerous message to potential offenders globally. He argues that such lax enforcement makes Canada appear as an attractive destination for those involved in child sexual exploitation and human trafficking, likening child sexual abuse material to the “marketing department of human trafficking.”
His advocacy is rooted in extensive experience working with survivors, law enforcement, and experts. Brandt co-chairs the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons and leads his own anti-trafficking charity, Not In My City, alongside his wife Liz. This deep involvement stems from a pivotal trip to Cambodia in 2004, where witnessing the brutal realities of child sexual slavery profoundly impacted him and his wife, who is a survivor of childhood sexual assault.
“Our line, I think, was drawn in the Cambodian sand, when we saw a culture where routine child sexual abuse had become normalized almost to the point of invisibility,” Brandt stated, reflecting on the experience that solidified his commitment to speaking out against exploitation.
Navigating Controversy and Political Discourse
Brandt’s public profile recently placed him at the center of a political debate. A social media post featuring lyrics from his song “Alberta Bound” was interpreted by some as a coded message of support for Alberta separatism, particularly given the timing amidst discussions about a potential independence referendum. This led to speculation and, subsequently, his removal as a speaker from an Edmonton teachers’ convention where he was slated to discuss human trafficking awareness.
Brandt expressed surprise at the blowback, stating he wished people would focus as much on combating child exploitation as they do on song lyrics. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith publicly supported Brandt, criticizing the decision to remove him as a politicization of his non-partisan work. Reflecting on the incident, Brandt acknowledged that Alberta separatism is a highly sensitive topic and that the experience was uncomfortable, clashing with his public image as a unifying figure.
Despite the political entanglement, Brandt remains steadfast in his patriotism, asserting, “I love this country. I love it deeply. And I want to see it unite in a way that is impacting and protecting children in a way that they need to be protected.”
Engaging with Federal Policy and Legislation
Brandt has actively engaged with federal officials to voice his concerns. He met with federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser shortly after the Supreme Court’s decision to advocate for the use of the notwithstanding clause to reinstate mandatory sentences. Brandt reported that the meeting was unproductive, with significant disagreements on the path forward.
He believes the notwithstanding clause should have been immediately employed to protect children while new legislation was developed. The federal government has historically avoided using this clause. A senior Liberal source suggested that using the clause to restore penalties for child abuse material would create an awkward precedent, given the government’s challenge to Quebec’s use of the clause in its secularism law.
In response to the Supreme Court ruling, the federal government introduced Bill C-16, which partially restores mandatory minimum penalties for accessing child sexual abuse material. However, this legislation includes a “safety valve” allowing judges discretion to impose lesser sentences. The application of this new law in sentencing is expected to take months, as courts require training. Brandt has criticized this bill as a “half-measure” that does not sufficiently protect children.
Further compounding his concerns, Brandt testified before a Senate committee regarding Bill C-14, concerning bail and sentencing reform. He argued that the bill was insufficient and recommended strengthening it by placing a greater onus on bail applicants to prove they are not a threat to children and by codifying all forms of human trafficking and child sexual exploitation as violent crimes. These recommendations were not included in the final version of the bill.
The Work of Not In My City
Launched in 2017, Not In My City has become a significant national resource for combating human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The organization offers a free online course aimed at disrupting these activities in Canada. Over 40 Canadian airports have partnered with Not In My City, implementing awareness campaigns and workplace training. Last year, more than 10,000 airport workers completed the organization’s e-learning course.
The organization also established the Maddison Sessions, an annual forum that convenes investigators and prosecutors to share best practices in combating human trafficking. Named in memory of Maddison Fraser, a young woman who died at 21 after being drawn into sex trafficking, these sessions aim to foster a collaborative, cross-border approach to law enforcement.
Brandt highlighted the impact of their work, recounting an instance where an airport screening officer, after taking Not In My City’s training, was able to identify and assist a potential trafficking victim. The organization also operates “soft rooms” in airports, providing safe spaces for survivors to connect with support services. These rooms, though furnished comfortably, are a stark reminder of the young age of many victims, with police statistics indicating the average age of recruitment into sex trafficking in Canada is 13.
A Plea for Unity and Accountability
Brandt remains committed to his advocacy, emphasizing the need for Canada to unite in its efforts to protect children. He points to alarming statistics, including a 204% increase in police-reported human trafficking incidents and a 347% rise in online child sexual exploitation over the past decade, as evidence that current measures are falling short.
“If there was ever an opportunity to unify Canada, it’s by abandoning the half-measure approach these bills represent. Listening to victims, survivors and the public, and demanding restorative accountability is key,” Brandt urged. He hopes his anti-trafficking work will continue to speak for itself, steering clear of partisan politics while championing the safety and well-being of Canada’s children.
