[SWAF-Potluck] All Prostituion Laws Struck Down by the SCC! We Win!!

[Andy Sorfleet]

Hi Ki,

I wish I could share in the elated celebration of this decision. But
instead all I do is worry. You know me. "The sky is falling!" :^)

The Supreme Court has delivered "tabula rasa" meaning that the Christian
Conservative majority government has a completely clean slate upon which to
create new prostitution laws. I very much fear that these new laws will be
much more restrictive, much like laws in the United States.

The arguments to the Supreme Court made the case that prostitution is a
legal occupation, and that to restrict the activities that could increase
safety places the worker in harm's wau and is unconstitutional. Laws which
outlaw prostitution outright (like in the U.S.) would likely satisfy the
requirements of the Supreme Court. Just as drug trafficking is not
considered an occupation (and therefore has never been challenged), a
similar statute outlawing prostitution could be much harder to challenge.

In any case, it has been 30 years that Canadian sex worker activists have
been pushing for a decriminalized environment in which to work. (I was a
member of the Canadian Organization for the Rights of Prostitutes in 1990.)

In no way is this time to rest on our laurels! Now more than ever it is
imperative for working sex workers to form their own union or association.
The best news about this Supreme Court decision is that it delivers a clear
mandate for sex worker organizing. We can now create a professional
association without fear of the law. The Supreme Court has given us one
year.

I look forward to hearing what Christine has to say, and seeing you all at
the potluck!

In solidarity,
Andy


On Fri, Dec 20, 2013 at 9:59 AM, Ki Bournes <ki at massagebyki.com> wrote:

>  Yup it's true.
> All the laws were deemed unconstitutional by Canada's highest court
> because they deny sex workers the fundamental right of security of person
> as defined by the Charter of Rights!
> Th Bawdy house, communication and living off the avails law were all
> struck down. They are still in place for a year however which gives the
> government time to possibly draft new laws.
> Ha that should be fun the Conservatives and NDP fighting over new
> prostitution laws in the House of Commons.
> --
> _______________
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