Sask. updates human trafficking laws for hospitality, ride-share sectors

Saskatchewan is introducing new legislation aimed at cracking down on human trafficking by giving police broader powers and imposing stricter reporting rules on the hospitality and transportation sectors.

Amendments to The Protection from Human Trafficking Act tabled on Monday show the proposed updates require hotel operators, online accommodation platforms and driver-for-hire and ride-share services to report any suspected incidents of human trafficking directly to police.

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The legislation is designed to disrupt highly mobile trafficking networks, which frequently use motels, hotels and short-term vacation rentals to conceal criminal activities, the province said in a statement.

“Human trafficking is a serious crime that causes lasting harm to victims, families and communities,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod said.

“These amendments build on our government’s commitment to combat human trafficking and hold offenders accountable. We will continue our work to disrupt trafficking activities and hold offenders accountable while keeping our communities safe.”

If passed, the new regulations will require accommodation providers to maintain more detailed guest registers. Police will be authorized to demand immediate access to them if there are reasonable grounds to believe the information will help locate a trafficking victim.

To maintain oversight, police forces will be mandated to file written records and annual reports whenever they request access to a business register.

The bill also updates existing provisions to help victims dealing with coerced debts.

Jim Bence, president and CEO of Hospitality Saskatchewan, said the industry supports the amendments, noting that staff at hotels are often able to spot early red flags.

“Hotels, motels and other accommodation providers are often in a unique position to recognize the warning signs of trafficking activity,” Bence said.

Bence said that position has improved dramatically in recent years, thanks in part to online training for both staff and managers to teach them what to look for to try and spot trafficking.

“Those are the kinds of things that I want to pay attention to now. ‘Why does this person keep wanting to rent the room at the end of the hall on the second floor overlooking the parking lot?’ Forty years ago, I wasn’t even thinking about that. That meant nothing to me. Now it does. So with increased awareness, we’re going to get increased reporting,” Bence said.

Bence added that the industry welcomes the opportunity to help do something about the issue.

“We feel like we’re the front end of this. We’re the pointy end of the stick, and if we are part of the problem by this occurring in our properties, we really want to make sure that we’re part of the solution,” he said.

Human trafficking does not always mean crossing international borders, the government said, adding that exploitation often happens locally through misleading employment offers, informal work arrangements or through people leveraging a victim’s urgent need for shelter and income.

In many cases, abusers are trusted figures, including family members or intimate partners, the province said.

Kendra Mazer, with Hope Restored Canada — a survivor support organization — said in an interview that the legislation could make a significant difference to victims of trafficking.

“I think with these changes, we’re going to see a lot more supports to survivors. People that are in active situations where they are being trafficked may not feel that they have a voice or are able to ask for help,” Mazer said.

“If we see it and we can say like, ‘Hey, something’s a little bit off here,’ it might be the opportunity for that person to be able to safely leave the situation they’re in.”