Woman forced to work at multiple Sask. restaurants against her will, police say
Two men face charges including human trafficking and sexual assault for allegedly forcing a woman to work at multiple restaurants around Saskatchewan, police say.
According to an RCMP news release, the Bangladeshi woman was staying in Canada on a visitors permit. She moved to Saskatchewan after answering an advertisement on a popular job bank for work at a restaurant.
After she was granted a working permit, RCMP said the woman was forced to work up to 12 hours a day, seven days a week at restaurants in Gull Lake, Elrose and Tisdale.
When the woman wasn’t working, police said she was forced to stay in an unfinished concrete basement that was dimly lit and heavily water damaged.
Police said the woman’s employers threatened to revoke her work permit or call the police if she did not comply with the demanding schedule and restrictions to her freedoms.
Forty-one-year-old Mohammad Masum and Sohel Haider, 52, were arrested on June 29.
Each faces one count of trafficking a person. Masum also faces three counts of sexual assault.
CTV News has confirmed Haider is connected to Bob's Diner, in Elrose.
Both suspects will appear in court on July 13.
“This investigation illustrates human trafficking can take many forms, including forced labour. This isn’t just a big city issue – human trafficking is present in communities both big and small, including in Saskatchewan. It’s important that residents recognize the signs of trafficking and report these occurrences to police immediately,” Supt. Glenn Church said in a release.
RCMP said the victim has been informed about protections provided under Saskatchewan’s Protection from Human Trafficking Act.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
TOP STORY
TOP STORY What you need to know about COVID-19 as we head into fall
As we head into another respiratory illness season, here’s a look at where Ontario stands when it comes to COVID-19 and what you need to know.
More new cars no longer come with a spare tire. Here's what you need to know
Vehicles used to come with a "full-sized" spare tire, but about 30 years ago, auto manufacturers moved to a much lighter, smaller tire, sometimes called a "donut spare." But now, depending on the car you have, it may not have any spare at all.
A landslide triggered a 650-foot mega-tsunami in Greenland. Then came something inexplicable
It started with a melting glacier that set off a huge landslide, which triggered a 650-foot high mega-tsunami in Greenland last September. Then came something inexplicable: a mysterious vibration that shook the planet for nine days.
New evidence upends contentious Easter Island theory, scientists say
Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, never experienced a ruinous population collapse, according to an analysis of ancient DNA from 15 former inhabitants of the remote island in the Pacific Ocean.
Staff member hospitalized after assault at B.C. maximum security prison
A corrections officer at B.C.'s only maximum security federal prison was taken to hospital after an assault earlier this month.
Man flees police through corn field, located by drone
On Friday evening, Chatham-Kent Police say they responded to a call that indicated that an intoxicated man was intending to depart from a home, and drive away intoxicated.
Dogs bring loads of joy but also perils on a leash
Over the past 20 years, injuries related to dog walking have been on the rise among adults and children in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University researchers. Fractures, sprains and head trauma are among the most common.
How a false rumour about pets in Ohio and Laura Loomer’s presence helped derail Trump’s planned attacks on Harris
Donald Trump wanted to spend this week attacking one of Democratic rival Kamala Harris' biggest political vulnerabilities. Instead, he spent most of the week falsely claiming that migrants are eating pets in a small town in Ohio and defending his embrace of a far-right agitator whose presence is causing concern among his allies.
Man facing charges related to 2023 death of infant: Ottawa police
An Ottawa man is facing charges related to the death of an infant in 2023 in Vanier, according to the Ottawa Police Service.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Saskatoon
-
'We were scratching our heads': Saskatoon child clinic raises concerns over proposed shelter nearby
There’s more out-cry about a proposed temporary shelter in Saskatoon's downtown core. This time it's from professionals who run a children’s mental health clinic next door, servicing thousands of vulnerable kids each year.
-
Saskatchewan hospitals report 1,305 service disruptions since 2019, data shows
Data from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), obtained by the provincial NDP through a freedom of information request, shows that between August 2019 and May 2024, there were more than 200,000 hours of healthcare blackouts at 58 hospitals and health centres, not including Saskatoon and Regina.
-
New OSB mill construction in Prince Albert set for 2025
After years of delays and planning, a new oriented strand board (OSB) mill is coming to Prince Albert.
Winnipeg
-
Two people in critical condition after north Winnipeg fire
Three people were hospitalized – two in critical condition – following a fire in Winnipeg’s St. Johns neighbourhood Saturday morning.
-
'We're serving Manitoba's greatest needs': Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg marking 100th anniversary
The Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg held its first meeting on Feb. 20, 1924. The club is marking its 100th anniversary this month.
-
Veteran WPS officer charged with theft
A veteran member of the Winnipeg Police Service is facing charges after evidence disappeared from the lock-up.
Edmonton
-
1 dead in Edmonton collision involving motorcycle and SUV
An investigation is underway into a Friday afternoon collision that left one man dead.
-
k.d. lang gets the band back together for Canadian country music awards show
The return of k.d. lang and the Reclines is expected to be a highlight as the Canadian Country Music Association hands out its annual hardware tonight in Edmonton.
-
Fugitive wanted in connection with Rocky View County murder arrested
Mounties have captured a fugitive wanted for murder and on the run since early August, and it happened while they were working another case.
Calgary
-
Fugitive wanted in connection with Rocky View County murder arrested
Mounties have captured a fugitive wanted for murder and on the run since early August, and it happened while they were working another case.
-
Free Saturday book giveaway draws long lineup to Chapters
The free books didn’t last long at one Chapters bookstore Saturday morning.
-
Stampeders return to Maier at QB eyeing chance to get on track against Alouettes
Mired in their first four-game losing skid in 20 years, the Calgary Stampeders are going back to Jake Maier at quarterback on Saturday after he was benched for a game.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge police locate man wanted on outstanding warrants
Lethbridge police have located and arrested a man wanted on a number of outstanding warrants.
-
Coaldale man charged with attempted murder after Lethbridge break-and-enter
Lethbridge police say a 28-year-old man is facing charges of attempted murder following a frightening attack on a woman inside her home this week.
-
Police operation near Vauxhall, Alta., ends: RCMP
A police operation in near Vauxhall, Alta. has ended.
Toronto
-
TOP STORY
TOP STORY What you need to know about COVID-19 as we head into fall
As we head into another respiratory illness season, here’s a look at where Ontario stands when it comes to COVID-19 and what you need to know.
-
Tuesday's Lotto Max draw set to hit all-time Canadian record of $80 million after no Friday winner
In a Canadian lotto first, the national Lotto Max jackpot has reached an estimated $80 million prize.
-
From an apartment in Vancouver to a storage container near Saskatoon, how 2 teenagers’ airplane finally gets unveiled to family decades later in Ontario
Decades after soaring through Vancouver's skies, spending years in a storage container in Saskatoon, and finally being restored in Ontario, a plane built by hand by two teenagers at the height of the Great Depression will be unveiled to their family for the first time.
Ottawa
-
Sindy Hooper dies after battle with pancreatic cancer
An Ottawa woman who raised more than $500,000 for cancer research at the Ottawa Hospital has died after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.
-
Man facing charges related to 2023 death of infant: Ottawa police
An Ottawa man is facing charges related to the death of an infant in 2023 in Vanier, according to the Ottawa Police Service.
-
Driver of transport truck sought by Ottawa OPP after failing to stop at a collision scene on Highway 417
Ontario Provincial Police are asking the driver of a transport truck to come forward, as they want to speak with them about an incident that happened Saturday morning on Highway 417 in Ottawa.
Montreal
-
Montreal byelection: Here's what the four party leaders are offering in LaSalle-Emard-Verdun
The leaders of the four major Canadian political parties - Justin Trudeau, Yves-Francois Blanchet, Jagmeet Singh and Pierre Poiliever - made their pitches for why voters should choose their parties in the upcoming Montreal byelection in LaSalle-Emard-Verdun.
-
Residence shot at with people inside in Boucherville, Que.: police
Police on Montreal's South Shore are investigating after at least one gunshot was fired at a residence with people inside.
-
Montreal man seeks living kidney donor as dialysis takes toll
A 25-year-old Montreal man is looking for a living kidney donor and has made a public appeal on social media. Until he finds one, Julian Zadrozny must undergo 10 hours of dialysis a day.
Vancouver
-
Natural gas infrastructure tampered with in Mission, B.C., RCMP say
Mounties in Mission, B.C., say they're investigating two instances of apparent "mischief to natural gas infrastructure" in the city.
-
Metro Vancouver's HandyDART strike continues after talks break with no deal
Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
-
New book captures 'intimate look' at Terry Fox with journal entries, interviews
When Barbara Adhiya first learned that Terry Fox had run the length of a marathon a day during his journey across Canada, she was shocked.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. woman reveals greatest life lesson after celebrating 100th birthday
“There has to be love in your life and forgiveness,” Hilda smiles. “I think the only way out of the mess in the world is to start loving each other.”
-
Canadian warship seizes 1,400 kilos of cocaine off Central America
A Canadian warship has seized more than 1,400 kilograms of cocaine during an anti-drug-trafficking operation in Central America.
-
Police investigating suspicious death in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties have launched a suspicious death investigation after a man was found dead Thursday in Nanaimo, B.C.
Kelowna
-
Son charged with B.C. woman's murder: RCMP
More than a year after a missing Kamloops, B.C., woman’s body was found, her son has been arrested and charged with her murder, Mounties announced Friday.
-
Woman stabbed during daylight Kelowna home invasion: RCMP
A woman suffered life-threatening injuries after being stabbed during a home invasion in Kelowna, according to authorities.
-
Dog mauled to death in B.C. yard after 3 pit bulls jump fence: police
A 12-year-old collie was killed by three pit bulls in the B.C. Interior Sunday morning, according to authorities.
London
-
Chemical spill at Owen Sound Public Works yard
Just before 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, a Hazardous Waste day at the Owen Sound Public Works yard was the scene of a chemical spill.
-
Families take in St. Thomas Police Service 2024 Open House
K9 officers Rocky and Axle were among the favourite attractions Saturday, as families took up the invitation to the St. Thomas Police 2024 Open House.
-
More new cars no longer come with a spare tire. Here's what you need to know
Vehicles used to come with a "full-sized" spare tire, but about 30 years ago, auto manufacturers moved to a much lighter, smaller tire, sometimes called a "donut spare." But now, depending on the car you have, it may not have any spare at all.
Kitchener
-
Sisters finally see the Canadian 'aviation artifact' built by their father nearly 90 years ago
Two sisters have finally been reunited with a plane their father built 90 years ago, that is also considered an important part of Canadian aviation history.
-
Hog Heaven: Friday the 13th takes over Port Dover, Ont.
The streets of Port Dover roared to life on Friday for a tradition that has been going on for decades.
-
Police investigating fatal crash in Hagersville
One person has died and two others were injured in a Hagersville crash.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ont. beekeeper says she has lost almost 2M bees this season
CTV News Northern Ontario provides and update on the story of more than 1.5 million bees be lost earlier this summer.
-
MPs to face new political realities on their return to Ottawa
On Monday, Parliamentarians will return to the familiar stone walls of West Block in Ottawa to find the political landscape has shifted significantly.
-
Police seize sawed-off shotgun, ammo, northern Ont. teen charged
A northern Ontario teen has been charged with several weapon offences after police responded to a report of a prohibited weapon at a Kapuskasing residence.
Atlantic
-
Missing N.S. woman believed dead; man charged with first-degree murder
Police in Nova Scotia now believe a woman reported missing earlier this month is dead, and a man has been charged in her disappearance.
-
How do you like them apples? U-pick season underway in the Maritimes
Many orchards in the Maritimes are getting ready for apple picking season
-
Halifax focuses on voter accessibility ahead of municipal election
Halifax Regional Municipality is focusing on voter accessibility ahead of the October election.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador monitoring rise in whooping cough cases: medical officer
Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer is monitoring the rise of whooping cough infections across the province as cases of the highly contagious disease continue to grow across Canada.
-
Dispute over unrecognized Inuit group halts major conference for Canadian North
A 16-year-old biennial event aimed at fostering business in the country's eastern Arctic and northern regions has been cancelled indefinitely as a dispute unfolds between Inuit in Canada and a Labrador group claiming to share their heritage.
-
Cow cuddling: Why a Newfoundland farm is offering quality time with these 'gentle creatures'
Jim Lester’s farm hopped on the cow-cuddling trend in early August, and his time slots have been pretty well sold out ever since.
