Taxi and ride-hailing services drivers could soon be facing fines if they believe they’ve had victims of human trafficking or sexual exploitation as passengers and failed to alert police.

The city’s public works committee will discuss a recommendation by civic staff next week to amend the Vehicle for Hire bylaw to create a new $500 fine that could be imposed in such situations.

Joy Smith, founder of the foundation in her name that fights human trafficking in Canada and provides support to survivors, said she believes the fine will have an impact.

“I welcome this, I think it’s wonderful,” Smith said Thursday. “We train drivers for what to look for. They need to report. They are on the front lines — they have to report. They could save a life.”

Smith, a former Manitoba MLA and federal MP

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