Publication Topic : Sex Work

School’s back — and, unfortunately, so is Bill C-36

From September 9 to 11, testimony on Bill C-36 (the so- called Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act) was heard by the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. Stéphanie Claivaz-Loranger, Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network Policy Analyst, and network member Kara Gillies presented to the Committee, voicing strong opposition to the bill as it will greatly affect the … Read more

Brief to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs regarding Bill C-36, the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act

This brief compares the Criminal Code provisions proposed by Bill C-36 against the Criminal Code provisions struck down by the Supreme Court of Canada in R v. Bedford. It explains how the new law, if enacted, will replicate the effects of the old law on the security of sex workers and, as such, reproduce the harms the Supreme Court of … Read more

Letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper re: Canada’s response to the decision in Canada (Attorney General) v. Bedford

“We are concerned about the direction your government is taking with respect to adult prostitution in Canada. Bill C-36, also known as the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, proposes a legal regime that criminalizes many aspects of adult prostitution, including the purchase of sexual services, the advertisement of sexual services, and most communication … Read more

Brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights regarding its study of Bill C-36, the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act

“We appreciate the opportunity to comment on the study of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Bill C-36, the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act and to draw the Committee’s attention to certain elements which are particularly relevant from the perspective of health and human rights.”

Reckless Endangerment — Q&A on Bill C-36: Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act

In December 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously decided that several parts of Canada’s Criminal Code dealing with prostitution are unconstitutional because they violate the rights of sex workers by undermining their health and safety. The Supreme Court decided that its ruling would take effect in one year’s time, at which point those unconstitutional parts of … Read more