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By Susan McNeil

Human trafficking

Human trafficking charges range from Sask. to Ontario

Oct 29, 2024 | 1:40 PM

An RCMP investigation that began in Dundurn, south of Saskatoon, led officers to Yorkton and Ontario.

Police responded to a reported kidnapping at a business in Dundurn on October 23 at about 5:15 a.m. They found an adult woman from Ontario being held against her will.

The responding officers called the Human Trafficking and Counter Exploitation Unit (HTCEU) and found the victim had been forcibly taken from Toronto and then trafficked in Ontario, Manitoba and in Saskatchewan.

“Human trafficking affects communities of all sizes, not just urban centres. It’s a reality that exists in big cities and small towns, including those here at home in Saskatchewan,” said Insp. Jeff Smoliak, RCMP’s Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams (SERT) senior investigative officer, in a news release.

“It’s also a crime that has no borders, which is why the Saskatchewan RCMP works interjurisdictionally to investigate these complex files and works closely with municipal police agencies and partners across the country.”

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Charges have been laid against 51-year-old Pierre Andre Bouchard of Chambly, QC that include multiple trafficking related charges, forcible confinement, sexual assault (including with a weapon), material benefit from sexual services, identity theft, failing to comply with probation, procuring and more.

Bouchard was arrested and has been remanded into custody at least until his next court appearance in November 5.

Trafficking is a growing concern in Canada and something the Prince Albert Police said they have also been focusing on.

Nor is the issue restricted to larger communities. A case connected to Tisdale also extended to Elrose and Gull Lake. Dundurn has fewer than 700 residents. The two men charged in that case will finish the criminal trial into their charges in 2025 in Rosetown Provincial Court.

READ MORE: A woman was forced to live and work in horrid conditions in Tisdale, Gull Lake and Elrose

The RCMP are reminding the public that anyone can be targeted for human trafficking. Victims can be targeted by people they know, current or former partners, family, friends or other people they trust.

Traffickers use tactics like approaching their mostly young female victims through social media, by giving them gifts or money, introducing them to drugs or alcohol or threatening their family.

Those who suspect someone is being trafficked can call their local police or the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010. This hotline is confidential, available 24/7 and offers services in more than 200 languages. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com