Manitoba Hotel Owners Charged With Human Trafficking After Exploiting Indian Workers
Two Manitoba hotel owners have been charged with human trafficking, following an RCMP investigation into the exploitation of four workers from India. The case has shocked many Canadians and shed light on the darker side of temporary foreign labour in rural communities.
Trafficking Investigation Began With a Disturbance Call
RCMP launched the investigation on February 9, 2025, after a call about a disturbance at the hotel. Officers later learned that several workers lived and worked there under exploitative conditions. Two women came forward first, followed by two more victims—a man and a woman.
On Thursday, Sgt. Cathy Farrell with the RCMP human trafficking unit confirmed that:
- Jai Inder Sandhu, 62, and Satbir Sandhu, 48, have both been charged with human trafficking and receiving material benefit from trafficking.
- Jai Inder Sandhu also faces charges for uttering threats and withholding or destroying documents.
While police did not name the hotel during the press conference, CBC News confirmed the Sandhus own the Howard Johnson hotel on the Trans-Canada Highway in Portage la Prairie.
Workers Promised Legal Jobs, Faced Threats Instead
The four victims believed they were coming to Canada for legal, fair-paying jobs. Some received a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)—a federal document that allows employers to hire foreign workers—but the employer failed to meet its obligations. One victim never received the LMIA at all.
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The victims reported they were:
- Paid about half of Manitoba’s minimum wage
- Threatened with deportation
- Denied access to their IDs
- Forced to work in all roles at the hotel, from front desk and restaurant work to housekeeping
One was recruited through family connections, others through online ads or word of mouth. All worked at the hotel between 10 months and one year.
“Hidden in Plain Sight,” Experts Warn
Farrell called labour trafficking an “underreported crime” that’s often hidden in plain sight, especially in sectors that rely on vulnerable labour. These include:
- Construction
- Agriculture
- Trucking
- Food service
- Hospitality
Victims, especially migrant workers and newcomers, are often scared to speak out due to threats and fear of being deported by the Manitoba hotel owners.
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Community Support Groups Call for Vigilance
Janet Campbell, CEO of the Joy Smith Foundation, and Dianna Bussey, with the Salvation Army, both urged Canadians to be more aware of forced labour and report concerns.
“Isolation and fear often keep victims silent,” Campbell said. “But community awareness can be a powerful tool.”
Bussey noted a notable increase in trafficking cases over the past year, especially related to labour exploitation.
As RCMP continue their investigation, they hope others in similar situations will feel safe to come forward.
Do you think Canada’s current foreign worker programs do enough to protect people from exploitation?
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