From February 17 – 28, 2025, 63 law enforcement partners from across Canada joined together for Project STEEL. Jointly lead by the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), this multi-jurisdictional operation focused on targeting online child sexual exploitation and offenders across the country and safeguarding children.
To date, 106 individuals have been arrested, and 37 children have been safeguarded. A total of 1,132 electronic devices were seized.
On a local level, the Brandon Police Service – Major Crimes Section and Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) investigators joined the mission of this successful operation. Five search warrants were executed to discover evidence pertaining to the offences of Possession of Child Pornography, Accessing Any Child Pornography, and Import, Distribution, Sale or Possession for the Purpose of Distribution or Sale of any Child Pornography.
As a result of these efforts, two investigations have resulted in charges and two more investigations are ongoing.
Of the two individuals charged:
A search warrant was executed in the 1500 block of Lorne Avenue which resulted in an 18-year-old male being arrested and charged.
A search warrant was executed in the 000 block of Garwood Drive which resulted in a 20-year-old male being arrested and charged.
As noted, the two other investigations remain ongoing.
The Brandon Police Service is proud to collaborate with other agencies in this nationwide operation, as the borderless nature of these crimes demands a unified approach. Criminal activities that span across our provinces require the collective expertise, resources, and coordination of agencies at all levels. By working together, we strengthen our ability to tackle these complex issues and heinous crimes to ensure the safety and security of our communities and our children. Our commitment to collaboration underscores the importance of shared responsibility in addressing crime, and our members here at BPS are strongly dedicated to making a positive impact not only through Project STEEL, but every day.
Raising awareness of the growing trend of online child sexual exploitation is crucial, as the devastating impacts on victims and survivors are profound and long-lasting, affecting their emotional, psychological, and physical well-being.
Local police services handle initial complaints about online child sexual exploitation. To report online sexual exploitation of a child, visit Home – Cybertip.ca
If you or someone you know might be in immediate danger or risk, call 911 or your local police. Brandon Police Service (204) 729-2345
