Prostitution in Canada:
now even more legal!
now even more legal!
Red light district: Could Toronto be the
next Amsterdam?
next Amsterdam?
Dominatrices and sex workers were delighted today
as a Toronto judge ruled to strike down Canada’s
As reported by the Star, justice Susan Himel of
Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice ruled that Canada’s
anti-prostitution laws were contrary to the values of
the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Star reports:
A Toronto judge has struck down Canada’s prostitution laws,
effectively decriminalizing activities associated with the world’s
oldest trade.
effectively decriminalizing activities associated with the world’s
oldest trade.
“These laws, individually and together, force prostitutes to
choose between their liberty interest and their right to security
of the person as protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights
and Freedoms,” Justice Susan Himel of Ontario’s Superior Court
of Justice said in Tuesday’s landmark decision.
choose between their liberty interest and their right to security
of the person as protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights
and Freedoms,” Justice Susan Himel of Ontario’s Superior Court
of Justice said in Tuesday’s landmark decision.
The story of this case, launched over a year ago by dominatrix
Teri-Jean Bedford along with prostitutes Valerie Scott and
Amy Lebovitch, is not over yet. Judge Himel has imposed a
30-day stay on the decision to give lawyers and others a chance
to voice their opinions. The Star goes on to say that Rona Ambrose,
the federal Conservative minister for status of women, is reportedly
“very concerned” about the decision and is considering an appeal.
Teri-Jean Bedford along with prostitutes Valerie Scott and
Amy Lebovitch, is not over yet. Judge Himel has imposed a
30-day stay on the decision to give lawyers and others a chance
to voice their opinions. The Star goes on to say that Rona Ambrose,
the federal Conservative minister for status of women, is reportedly
“very concerned” about the decision and is considering an appeal.
Most notably, the consensual
act of exchanging money for
sex has never been illegal in
Canada. The sections of the
Criminal Code struck down
had to do with communication
for the purposes of prostitution,
living off of the sex trade, and
the keeping of a “common bawdy house.” In other words, it was OK to pay
for sex if one did so while wearing earplugs, a blindfold and a gag
(wait—why was the dominatrix concerned?).
Canada continues to be awesome!
The country's province of Ontario has just legalized prostitution and brothels in an attempt to make it less dangerous for sex workers.
"The record is clear that the safest way to sell sex is for a prostitute to work indoors, in a location under her control."
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