'Disgusting and vile': Sask. premier repulsed by MLA's alleged actions following prostitution charge

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he’s extremely disappointed after a Saskatchewan Party MLA was arrested and charged in a prostitution related investigation.

“What happened is disgusting and vile to be quite frank, and my statement speaks for itself,” Moe told reporters Monday. “The government needs to be supportive of women that are in a vulnerable state, not exploiting them.”

On Nov. 17, the province issued a statement, outlining that Ryan Domotor, the MLA for Cut Knife – Turtleford, was removed from the Saskatchewan Party caucus and stripped of all roles and responsibilities.

According to Regina police, Domotor was one of 16 people arrested during a vice unit operation focused on combatting sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

He was arrested at an east Regina business at around 2 p.m. on Nov. 16 and faces one count of a prostitution-related charge.

According to Moe, police informed the government on Friday that there was a member of the Legislative Assembly who was charged for his alleged involvement in the operation.

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“It’s at that point in time that my office confirmed that individual and we put the news release out immediately,” he explained.

The premier says the government’s actions are intended to make its position abundantly clear.

“It’s most disappointing. The reactions that I put forward with respect to removing this individual from caucus – ultimately making a statement that there really isn't a place in the assembly for an individual that's performing these types of actions,” Moe said.

“So it's a very strong statement, but it's one that I stand by.”

Domotor now sits as an independent in the legislative assembly – with the premier adding that he will not be a candidate for the next provincial election.

While he wasn’t present at the legislature on Monday – Domotor’s desk was removed from government benches and into a far back corner of the assembly.

In his comments to reporters, Moe also hinted at upcoming changes to current legislation.

“You're going see an amendment to the Human Trafficking Act – this very session section – it was announced in our Speech from the Throne and so you'll see the amendments to that bill introduced very shortly,” he said.

“At the end of the day, I would say that all men have the power to make a better decision.”

Domotor is set to make his first appearance in provincial court on Jan. 4, 2024.

'A TROUBLING PATTERN'

The Saskatchewan NDP opened debate during question period with very pointed comments – aimed at Domotor’s conduct and the government’s track record on women's issues.

“This is completely inappropriate conduct for anyone, let alone a sitting member of this assembly,” opposition leader Carla Beck told the assembly.

Beck went on to point out another high profile incident involving a member of the legislative assembly – when Colin Thatcher attended the 2022 throne speech at the invitation of then MLA for Lumsden-Morse Lyle Stewart.

Thatcher served as a provincial politician in the early 1980’s and spent 22 years behind bars after being found guilty of murdering his ex-wife in 1983.

“What does the premier have to say to Saskatchewan people who see a troubling pattern from the Sask. Party MLAs while Saskatchewan maintains some of the worst rates of violence against women in the entire country?”

In his response, Moe reiterated the government’s plans to amend the Human Trafficking Act as well as funding for second stage housing.

“All in an effort to ensure that those individuals – all too often women – that are in a vulnerable state are supported by this government and those individuals that are part of putting them in that state, exploiting them in that state, are held accountable to law.”

However, Beck pointed to some grim statistics.

“The numbers speak for themselves, we have the highest rates of gender based violence in the country,” she said.

“It’s been that way since 2009 and in fact the rate in Saskatchewan is double the national average.”

“We continue to see women – whether it’s through domestic violence or sexual assault or human trafficking – continue to be victims and continue to be harmed.”