ROSETOWN – Two Saskatchewan Party MLA’s intervened to assist a woman they believed was a victim of human trafficking, a Rosetown court heard during an ongoing trial.
Mohammad Masum and Sohel Haider face charges of trafficking a person, with Masum additionally charged with three counts of sexual assault against the woman.
Former Sask. Party MLA Hugh Nerlien testified on May 20 that he and fellow MLA Doug Steele grew increasingly concerned about the woman’s safety after she was moved unexpectedly multiple times and sometimes her location wasn’t known.
“She had been moved a couple of times, so we didn’t know where she was or if she was safe potentially for days,” Nerlien told the court.
He said Steele had raised alarms about the woman’s treatment.
“Mr. Steele had expressed to me that he was concerned with how [the victim] was being observed and that something was not quite right,” in the employer-employee relationship, said Nerlien.
Alleged exploitation and control
Court heard the woman, a newcomer to Canada who could barely speak English, was allegedly forced to work 10 to 12 hours a day, seven days a week, at restaurants in Gull Lake, Elrose, and Tisdale. Her identification was reportedly taken from her, and she was kept under constant surveillance and prevented from seeking help.
RCMP’s Swift Current Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT) arrested Masum and Haider in Elrose on July 5, 2023. Police allege the woman was threatened with the loss of her work permit or police involvement if she did not comply with grueling work demands and restrictions on her freedom.
She was allegedly kept in an unfinished, damp, and dimly lit basement.
Judge Miguel Martinez has imposed a publication ban protecting the victim’s identity.
MLA’s secret intervention
After Steele shared his concerns, Nerlien visited the Little Town Restaurant in Tisdale, where he discreetly passed the woman a note wrapped around his legislative business card.
“I provided her, I would say clandestinely, I passed a note to her with my business card. My business card identified me as a member of the legislative assembly,” Nerlien testified.
The note included contact information for Jody Campbell, a settlement advisor with Northeast Newcomer Services, and that she was a “safe contact.” It also offered assistance with obtaining health cards and a driver’s license.
Nerlien said the woman appeared fearful and quickly concealed the note. She told him, “If he asks you what you gave to me, tell him it’s garbage.”
Defence questions MLA’s actions
Defence lawyers for both accused pressed Nerlien on why he and Steele didn’t contact police if they suspected wrongdoing.
Nerlien said they initially believed the situation was an immigration issue, not a criminal matter.
“Doug was concerned about her,” he said. “He interpreted it in the moment as an immigration issue. And in our roles as MLAs, we occasionally hear about immigration concerns.”
It was only after media reports surfaced, Nerlien said, that they realized the severity of the allegations.
“It was much later, in the media, that we heard it was much bigger.”
Challenged on why he intervened outside his riding, Nerlien responded, “I would say that is everyone’s responsibility to be aware and concerned about the safety and security of each other in society.”
The trial continues.
