DUNDURN – Saskatchewan RCMP’s Human Trafficking and Counter Exploitation Unit (HTCEU), part of the Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams (SERT), and Saskatoon RCMP Detachment has laid multiple charges against a man following a human trafficking investigation that began in Dundurn.
On Oct. 23 at approximately 5:15 a.m., Saskatoon RCMP were called to a business in Dundurn for a report of kidnapping.
Officers responded and located a woman from Ontario at the business. Initial investigation determined she was being held against her will. Officers contacted HTCEU investigators, who began a human trafficking investigation. HTCEU investigators determined the woman had been forcibly taken from Toronto and that human trafficking had occurred in various locations in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
As a result of the investigation, 51-year-old Pierre Andre Bouchard of Chambly, QC, is charged with: trafficking in persons; trafficking in persons – material benefit; forcible confinement; sexual assault; sexual assault with other weapon; material benefit from sexual services; obtaining sexual services for consideration; procuring; uttering threats against a person; assault with weapon; fail to comply probation order; identity theft; and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Bouchard was arrested by Saskatoon Police Service on Oct. 23. He appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Oct. 24, and made his second court appearance in Saskatoon on Oct. 28. Bouchard was remanded into custody for his next court appearance in Saskatoon on Nov. 5.
Saskatchewan RCMP’s Saskatoon Detachment, Yorkton Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team, Saskatoon General Investigation Section, Saskatoon Police Services’ VICE Unit and Victim Services, Regina Police Service’s VICE Unit, Toronto Police Service and Brandon Police Service assisted in this continuing investigation, along with additional community partners.
If you have information about this or any other incident of human trafficking, or if you or someone you know may be a victim of it, call 310-RCMP.
How to recognize and report human trafficking
“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.
“It’s also a crime that has no borders, which is why the Saskatchewan RCMP works inter-jurisdictionally to investigate these complex files, and works closely with municipal police agencies and partners across the country.”
Saskatchewan RCMP reminds the public that anyone can be a target for human trafficking. Victims may be trafficked by someone they know: a former or current partner, family member, friend, or trustworthy person. Recruiting tactics can be subtle; often victims don’t even know they’re being trafficked.
Traffickers may approach potential victims by:
- pretending to be a potential love interest, friend or support person;
- connecting over social media or in person;
- offering gifts or money;
- introducing drugs or alcohol; or
- threatening potential victims’ loved ones if they don’t comply.
Additional information on recognizing human trafficking can be found here.
In addition to contacting the RCMP, the public can also contact 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,
