The bill introduced Thursday would ensure coerced debts incurred by victims aren’t included in their credit histories.

The Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment has said perpetrators often incur debt under victims’ names, leaving them with large sums they can’t repay when they escape and try to rebuild their lives.

Justice Minister Bronwyn Eyre told reporters the legislation was in the works well before Ryan Domotor, a former Saskatchewan Party backbencher, was charged on Nov. 16 with seeking to obtain sexual services.

Officers arrested Domotor and 15 others last week in a sting operation to combat sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

A court record says he communicated with an undercover police officer. He was arrested at a Regina hotel in the city’s east end.

Premier Scott Moe then removed him from caucus, calling the allegations disgusting and vile.

Domotor, who now sits as an Independent, has not been seen in the assembly since he was charged. He is to no longer be a candidate for next year’s provincial election.

Eyre declined to say if she thinks he should resign his seat.

"I can’t speak to it, as an individual case," she said.

Opposition NDP leader Carla Beck told reporters it would be reasonable for Domotor to resign.

"It would be very difficult for someone facing those charges to come back into that assembly, and I think it is a reasonable call," she said.

Eyre said she hopes the bill helps victims rebuild their lives.

She said the legislation would give victims access to a service that would confirm whether their debts were forced upon them. They would then receive a certificate they could use when engaging with a credit agency.

Eyre added the province has spent $27.5 million this year on supports and services for those who have experienced interpersonal violence.

"It is a sign of deep commitment to addressing the issues we’re seeing in the province," she said.

Nicole Sarauer, the NDP justice critic, said she questions whether the legislation will make it easy for victims to get support.

She said it’s already difficult for people to access the justice system.

"It’s very difficult to make court applications," she said.

Sarauer said the province should provide consistent funding to organizations that offer shelter to those who’ve been trafficked.

"This bill, while important, doesn’t actually cost the government any money. It doesn’t really require them to do anything to take any action," she said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2023.

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press