About the Conference
Human trafficking doesn’t only happen “elsewhere.” It takes root in our blind spots, our systems, and the moments we overlook.
Traffic Jam 2026 challenges participants to look deeper, understand the conditions that fuel exploitation, and take meaningful action.
Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Speaker
Speaker
Speaker
Speaker
Speaker
Speaker
Speaker
Speaker
Speaker
Location
A New Day Youth & Adult Services
1602 Telesat Court, Ottawa, ON
Free parking available onsite
Where to Stay – Traffic Jam Conference (Ottawa)
Traffic Jam is being held in Ottawa’s east end, near Meadowbrook Road and Blair Road in Orléans. There are several convenient hotel options within a short driving distance of the conference venue, as well as accommodations near St. Laurent Boulevard, downtown Ottawa, and the Ottawa International Airport. All locations listed below offer easy access by car or transit. East / Orléans Area (Closest to the Conference) · Holiday Inn Ottawa East · WelcomINNS Ottawa · Comfort Inn Ottawa East · Courtyard by Marriott Ottawa East · Hampton Inn by Hilton Ottawa East St. Laurent Boulevard Area (East Ottawa) · Hampton Inn by Hilton Ottawa · Courtyard by Marriott Ottawa East · Holiday Inn Ottawa East · WelcomINNS Ottawa · Comfort Inn Ottawa East Downtown Ottawa · Ottawa Marriott Hotel · Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown Ottawa East · ARC THE.HOTEL · Lord Elgin Hotel · Fairmont Château Laurier · The Business Inn & Suites · AC Hotel Ottawa Downtown · Homewood Suites by Hilton Ottawa Downtown Ottawa Airport Area · Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Airport · Fairfield Inn & Suites Ottawa Airport · Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa Airport · Hampton Inn by Hilton Ottawa Airport · Sandman Signature Ottawa Airport Hotel · Residence Inn by Marriott Ottawa Airport · Homewood Suites by Hilton Ottawa Airport · Days Inn by Wyndham Ottawa Airport Note: Traffic Jam does not have an official conference hotel. Participants are encouraged to book early to secure preferred rates and availability.
Agenda
DAY ONE – Tuesday, February 24
7:00–8:00 AM Registration & Continental Breakfast 8:00–8:30 AM – Opening Remarks Mayor of Ottawa, Mark Sutcliffe Jennifer Richardson, Chief Advisor to Combat Human Trafficking, Public Safety Canada Co-Chairs, All-Party Parliamentary Group to End Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking 8:30–9:30 AM – Keynote Human Rights Approaches to Ending Human Trafficking Jessica Rogers 9:30–10:20 AM Demand Is the Engine: Engaging Men to Disrupt Sexual Exploitation Christine Hampson & Maggie Robbins 10:20–10:30 AM Break 10:30–11:20 AM Rape Culture Fuels Human Trafficking: Connecting the Dots Between Misogyny and Sexual Exploitation Emilee Reid & Alliyah Morrow 11:20–12:05 PM Lunch 12:05–12:55 PM Confronting Demand in the Digital Age: Insights from Court Cases, Online Platforms, and Legal Practitioners Hennes Doltze & John Winterdyk 12:55–1:45 PM Ending Demand: Evaluating Asymmetric Criminalization in Prostitution Policy Emily Simunic 1:45–1:55 PM Break 1:55–2:45 PM The Sex Buyer’s Accountability Program Aura Burditt & Jaclyn MacLean 2:45–3:35 PM Empowering Survivors: Ontario’s Human Trafficking Legal Support Program Kelly Beale 3:35–4:25 PM Non-State Torturers’ Demand Exposed: Who Is Listening? Jeanne Sarson & Linda MacDonald 4:25–5:00 PM Day One Closing Reflections 5:00–7:00 PM Evening Meet & Greet
DAY TWO – Wednesday, February 25
7:30–8:00 AM Light Breakfast & Networking 8:00–9:00 AM – Keynote Title TBA Albert Doxator 9:00–10:00 AM The Invisibility of Children as Direct Targets of Coercive Control: A Critical Discursive Analysis of Family Violence and Child Protection Legislation in Canada Rochelle Einboden 10:00–10:10 AM Break 10:10–10:55 AM From Kicking & Screaming to Transforming Turmoil: Speed Bumps for Exploited & Trafficked Youth Jodi Mosley & David Corkery 10:55–11:40 AM Lunch 11:40–12:30 PM Developing an Out-of-Home Care Program for Children who have Experienced SE/HT: Critical Learning and Developing Practices Julie Neubauer 12:30–2:00 PM The Truth Must Be Lived, Not Learned Jojoe Van Hooser 2:00–2:10 AM Break 2:10–3:05 PM Youth, Homelessness & Human Trafficking: Intersections John Heckbert 3:05–3:55 PM Moving Upstream: Preventing Sexual Violence Against Children and Youth Through Sexual and Reproductive Health Promotion Marita Smith 3:55–4:55 PM The Basket of Hope We All Carry Karonienhawi Thompson 5:00 PM Conference Closing & Call to Action
Special thank you to our sponsors!
