Tara Teng and Todd Hauptman asked Langley Township to enlist in the fight against human trafficking on Monday.

Teng, who was Miss Canada 2011, and Hauptman, who works for Langley MLA Mary Polak's office, are working on a project called the End Exploitation Langley Action Plan.

The duo asked the council to support the first two phases of the plan, which are based on education and prevention.

The plan would mean that Township frontline workers would have training and education, to help them recognize sexual exploitation.

There would also be a focus on making Langley a zero tolerance community for exploitation.

This is a big week for Teng, who was also nominated for a YMCA Young Women of Distinction Award.

Teng was crowned Miss BC in Fort Langley two years ago, went on to win Miss Canada, and is competing next month for Miss Canada World.

She has been using her pageant positions to talk about human trafficking and exploitation, both in Canada and abroad.

Teng is excited about the YMCA award because the nominee with the most votes will receive a $10,000 donation from Scotiabank to the YMCA program of the winner's choice.

Teng plans to donate the cash to a project to prevent violence against women if she wins.

"My generation is ready to see modern day slavery end and this nomination is another opportunity to empower the women who are otherwise exploited and abused," she said.

Voting started April 19. People can vote online at /www.ywcavan. org/content/Connecting_the_ Community_Award/1147.

mclaxton@langleyadvance.com