Paul Brandt Declines to Enter Alberta Independence Fray, Prioritizes Human Trafficking Advocacy
While his iconic song Alberta Bound has been adopted as an anthem by some proponents of Alberta independence, celebrated country music artist Paul Brandt is deliberately steering clear of the political debate. Instead, Brandt is channeling his energy and platform into a far more personal mission: raising awareness and combating human trafficking across Canada.
A Unifying Song Amid Political Division
Brandt, who founded the anti-trafficking organization Not In My City, recently spoke in Edmonton for National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. He addressed how his 2004 hit, intended as "a unifying song," has become entangled with separatist sentiments. "I get a little nervous as an entertainer," Brandt admitted, referencing performances outside Alberta. "It's like, 'Man, are they going to accept this in Ontario? Are they going to be into this in Newfoundland?'"
However, his primary concern lies elsewhere. "I don't want to weigh in on [the independence debate]," Brandt stated firmly. "I want to use my platform to raise awareness and educate people about human trafficking."
Alarming Statistics and a Growing Crisis
During the interview, Brandt highlighted disturbing trends in human trafficking across the nation. He revealed that police-reported incidents in Canada have tripled over the last decade, with more than 600 cases documented in 2024 alone.
The financial motivation for traffickers is staggering, with criminals earning an average of over $280,000 annually per victim. Perhaps most heartbreaking is the demographic: the average age of trafficking victims in Canada is just 13 years old, and Brandt notes this age is "skewing younger right now."
"This has been one of the most challenging topics to get people to buy-in on," Brandt confessed, "because they just don't want to hear it, because it's too overwhelming."
Empowering Communities Through Education
Brandt's approach through Not In My City focuses on empowerment and practical action. The organization partners with airports across Canada, recognizing these as key transit points traffickers use to move victims. Brandt shared a powerful anecdote from the Fort McMurray airport, where a security guard who had taken Not In My City training identified a potential victim just weeks later.
"She stopped dead in her tracks," Brandt recalled. "And she said, 'I took your training a month ago and two weeks ago, I identified a victim, and I knew what to do.' This is what we want to hear."
From Nurse to Musician to Advocate
Brandt reflected on his unconventional career path, which began as a registered nurse at the Alberta Children's Hospital before his music career took off. "If you had asked me, back in my high school days, when I was still playing basketball in Calgary, that I would be a basketball-playing registered nurse who sang country music and is fighting human trafficking, I would have laughed my head off at you," he said.
Today, his focus remains squarely on his advocacy work. He is actively involved in assisting with the establishment of the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons, viewing this as a critical step forward in the fight.
Music as a Constant Amid Advocacy
Despite his deep commitment to anti-trafficking efforts, Brandt has not abandoned his musical roots. He continues to perform, cherishing the connection with audiences across the country. "I'll keep showing up as long as people keep coming," he affirmed. "I love it. I love being on stage."
For Paul Brandt, the stage and the advocacy platform are now intertwined, both serving as venues to unite people—whether through song or through a shared commitment to end human trafficking.
