Man arrested in B.C. brought back to N.S. to face slew of human trafficking offences

CITYnews halifax / By Chris Halef

A man is facing a laundry list of human trafficking offences in connection to an investigation that was launched nearly two years ago.

In July 2023, the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) received a report from a victim of human trafficking who was a youth at the time the offences began. Officers later discovered there was a second victim.

According to RCMP, the crimes took place between 2017 and 2023, while the victims and the accused were in Nova Scotia.

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Police said last month, officers from the HTU travelled to British Columbia and arrested 31-year-old Simon McNamee, who was living in Vancouver.

He was taken back to Nova Scotia where he was charged with a total of 17 offences, including receiving material benefit from sexual services, procuring – person under 18, advertising sexual services, and trafficking in persons.

“We are here to support victims of human trafficking, which often includes laying charges and making arrests, however, we will only proceed if victims are comfortable with charges being laid,” says Cpl. Brianna Taker. “We collaborate with many other support organizations in Nova Scotia who provide resources for victims, and the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Unit can be reached at anytime on our Hotline – 902-449-2425. As always, call 911 if you’re in immediate danger.”

McNamee appeared in Halifax Provincial Court on Feb. 26 and was released by the courts on conditions pending future court appearances.