A provincial court judge has convicted Sohel Hadiar and Muhammad Masum on charges of human trafficking, marking what prosecutors say is a landmark ruling for Saskatchewan.
Case details and court findings
The judge, after reviewing evidence and the facts read into the record, concluded the two men exploited a woman from Bangladesh — identified in court only as "SK" to protect her identity — by using her immigration status and fear of deportation to compel her to work without pay.
According to the court's determined facts, Hadiar recruited the woman from Toronto and brought her to Gull Lake, where she began working at the Empire Diner in September 2022. She reportedly worked 12-hour days, six days a week, while being housed by the accused, but was not paid for her labour.
Charges and convictions
The judge found both Hadiar and Masum guilty of human trafficking. In addition, Masum was convicted on eight counts of sexual assault. The decision follows a lengthy court process that drew attention for its treatment of employment-related trafficking.
| Accused | Conviction(s) |
|---|---|
| Sohel Hadiar | Human trafficking |
| Muhammad Masum | Human trafficking; eight counts of sexual assault |
Why prosecutors call it precedent-setting
Senior Crown prosecutor Leslie Dunning told reporters the case is important because written decisions on human trafficking prosecutions are scarce in the province, and she has not previously seen a guilty verdict on trafficking on its own in Saskatchewan.
“I’ve not had a guilty verdict on human trafficking alone. So, for Saskatchewan, this is one of the first human trafficking cases that has gone to trial employment trafficking.”
Dunning said the ruling highlights that human trafficking can take varied forms, including situations embedded in employment relationships or intimate arrangements. She noted the decision could act as a deterrent and provide guidance for future prosecutions at both provincial and federal levels.
Context and local impact
Prosecutors described the victim as a temporary foreign worker and newcomer trying to secure legal status in Canada. The accused allegedly exploited her vulnerability by promising work and housing while threatening to revoke her work permit if she left or complained.
The outcome underscores concerns about vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers and newcomers in small communities where access to legal resources and support services can be limited. Advocacy groups and service providers have long warned such workers may be at greater risk of labour exploitation, including unpaid work, excessive hours and threats linked to immigration status.
- Who was affected: One woman from Bangladesh, protected in court as "SK."
- Where: Employment alleged at Empire Diner in Gull Lake; recruitment from Toronto to Saskatchewan.
- Allegations: Forced unpaid labour, threats tied to immigration status, long working hours; sexual-assault convictions against one accused.
What comes next
The court has convicted the two men; sentencing dates and possible appeals were not detailed in the materials released following the verdict. The ruling may prompt prosecutors and law enforcement in Saskatchewan to bring more cases where labour relationships cross into exploitation and trafficking.
For workers and employers, the case highlights legal obligations under both criminal and employment law. Temporary foreign workers and newcomers who believe they are being exploited can contact community legal clinics, immigrant-serving organisations or law enforcement to seek help.
As Saskatchewan grapples with the ruling’s implications, Crown counsel say the decision could help law enforcement identify and charge traffickers operating within employment settings, and provide judges with a framework for assessing similar allegations in future trials.
This story will be updated as further court documents and sentencing information become available.
