Prostitution laws in Ontario could be lifted Saturday

[mentalfloss]

Lawyers for the federal government said that Canada is on the brink of launching an "unprecedented" social experiment if three key prostitution laws are lifted this Saturday. The government is appearing in the Ontario Court of Justice on Monday to seek a delay in the end of those laws.

If the Ontario Court of Appeal does not agree to give the government more time to consider an appeal, it could mean the end for a number of laws that effectively criminalized prostitution.

A September ruling by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice struck down laws against keeping a common bawdy house, communicating for the purposes of prostitution and living on the avails of the trade.

The government is requesting a stay until a proper appeal can be heard.

Michael Morris, a lawyer for the federal government, said if a stay isn't granted Saturday, it will be the start of a "social experiment unprecedented in this country."

Prostitution is not illegal in Canada, but nearly everything related to it is. Lawyers who fought for the end of those laws said the adjustment would mean safer conditions for sex-trade workers.

In a 131-page ruling released in September, Justice Susan Himel determined the laws created a dangerous environment for sex-trade workers. "I find that the danger faced by prostitutes greatly outweighs any harm which may be faced by the public," she wrote.

The struck-down provisions deal with adult prostitution. Prostitution laws dealing with those under the age of 18 remain unaffected.

Dominatrix Terri-Jean Bedford had originally asked the court to rule on the Criminal Code laws relating to prostitution and called the decision to strike the laws down "emancipation day" for sex-trade workers. The government argued that prostitution is inherently dangerous, no matter where it is carried out. It has also argued that striking down the laws would make Canada a sex tourism destination.


Prostitution laws in Ontario could be lifted Saturday - CTV News

 

[ironsides]

Becoming a real Sodom and Gomorra up there, must be winter. Just what Canada needs to be like Las Vegas. Great achievement. :lol:

 

[Cannuck]

About time. Adults should be able to do whatever they want with their own bodies. If you don't own your own body what do you own.

 

[mentalfloss]

Becoming a real Sodom and Gomorra up there, must be winter. Just what Canada needs to be like Las Vegas. Great achievement. :lol:

Well we're one better than Netherlands in global rankings, so maybe Amsterdam is rubbing off on us.

 

[Unforgiven]

I hear there is going to be a seat sale! :canada:

 

[Nuggler]

I hear there is going to be a seat sale! :canada:

You have to do it sitting down!? Might have known there'd be a catch.:-(

 

[earth_as_one]

The current laws create unsafe conditions for people who want to sell sex for money, so they should be changed. At the same time I don't want prostitutes plying their trade openly and everywhere. Prostitution should be treated like alcohol and cigarettes, i.e. regulated and taxed.

I'm not in favor of controlling the sexual behavior of consenting adults. What consenting adults do with their bodies in private is none of my business.

I also support the rights of people who don't want prostitution in their faces. Parents also have a right to control their kids sex education.

So I expect the old laws will remain in place until they can be replaced with new laws which don't violate people's charter rights. I'd like to see prostitution controlled by federal laws which ban advertising in public and impose minimum health and working standards. After that, it should be up to municipalities to control through zoning and by-laws.

 

[selin]

i wish men could fasten their zips-there wouldn't be such a problem

get married , make a girlfriend or use your hand(the government can like three of them)...

 

[ironsides]

The only ones who will profit will be the pimps and crime organizations.

 

[mentalfloss]

Especially once the profession is taxed!

 

[earth_as_one]

i wish men could fasten their zips-there wouldn't be such a problem

get married , make a girlfriend or use your hand(the government can like three of them)...

Some men are too awkward, too ugly or too busy for a normal relationship. Some women need the money. Trading sex for money becomes a mutually beneficial relationship.

Sometimes its the women who pays the man for sex.

Hello Ladies, Gentlemen and Couples.

My name is Jason. Jason Chase. I want you to think of the most enjoyable evening that you can picture. Then visualize how nice the night would flow with a companion on your side. Someone who is going to share in the fun of the planned evening. Whether its out to dinner then dancing, or enjoying the warmth and coziness of the hotel room, allow me to make your dreams come alive.

Email me tonight with a description of what your fantasy evening would entail. With that I will tailor a package suited to your budget but most importantly your WANTS!

Outcall only.

I look forward to delivering the highest standard in Entertainment.
J. C.

• Location: GTA
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/ers/

My problem is with exploitation and public health, which is why it must be regulated.

 

[Dilettante]

Especially once the profession is taxed!

hehe nice reply. Somehow I always end up voting for a pimp

 

[wulfie68]

My thoughts are this:

- a man or woman has a right to do whatever they want with their body. There's no law against them going out, picking someone up and giving sex away, so why is it so much worse to charge for it to a willing customer?

- prostitution has been around since there was any kind of bartering ability and governments still have been unable to stamp it out

- I think it would be easier to licence, regulate (including ensuring proper health exams are done, and designating areas where it is permissible, etc), and of course tax, than stamp it out altogether, regardless of what the puritans in our midst want

- exploitation of the prostitutes already happens, via pimps/organized crime groups: if the sex trade is legalized, it makes it more difficult for those pimps/groups to maintain their control, if for no other reason than because it easier for a person to make a complaint about someone harassing them when conducting a legal activity than an illegal one

 

[Nuggler]

Becoming a real Sodom and Gomorra up there, must be winter. Just what Canada needs to be like Las Vegas. Great achievement. :lol:

But without the handguns..............unfortunately

 

[Ariadne]

I'm all for it. As a legal profession, prostitution can be taken out of the back alleys and moved into store front windows, or at least a safer environment. I wonder which city will be first to set up a red light district.

 

[DurkaDurka]

The only hookers I ever seen in Toronto are real bottom barrel, crack head types. The more respectable *****s, advertise their services in the yellow pages & craigslist. I honestly doubt their will be any visible difference in Toronto if the prostitution laws are struck down.

 

[selin]

i wish men could fasten their zips-there wouldn't be such a problem

get married , make a girlfriend or use your hand(the government can like three of them)...

sarcasm...



of course, it is a valuable industry for some men , and i also know that man cannot be without woman(mum-sister -girlfriend-wife ,sometimes a prostitute ).
The government should think the rights of sex workers and their regular fans beside other citizens and regulate laws in a sensible way...

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

If prostitution is deemed legal the government should move to regulate and tax it just like any other business.

 

[selin]

If prostitution is deemed legal the government should move to regulate and tax it just like any other business.

Turkey doesn't pass up any chance about money-regulated the law and taxed Prostitution in the past.
Matild Manukyan(Ermanian origin) has been recordholder for tax since 1944 . For being prostitute , one musn’t be under the age of 21-must be married and Turk citizen.

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

Turkey doesn't pass up any chance about money-regulated the law and taxed Prostitution in the past.
Matild Manukyan(Ermanian origin) has been recordholder for tax since 1944 . For being prostitute , one musn’t be under the age of 21-must be married and Turk citizen.

If I were a man with a hankerin for Hookers, Turkey would not be at the top of my "to do" list.