Davies calls for 'open and honest' debate on prostitution laws

By Alison Crawford, CBC News

 

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson says the government is "very concerned" about an Ontario Superior Court decision that throws out key provisions of Canada's anti-prostitution laws.

 

In a written statement this afternoon, Nicholson, said the government "is seriously considering an appeal."

 

In her ruling today, Justice Susan Himel said Canada's laws regarding prostitution contribute to the danger faced by sex-trade workers and that it's now up to Parliament to "fashion corrective action."

 

Libby Davies, the NDP MP for Vancouver East and long-time advocate for sex workers, says she's eager to get to work.

 

"The federal government can't hide any longer," Davies says. "They have to have a very open and honest debate about these laws, the fact that they haven't been working."

 

She says Canada needs a new legal framework that balances the protection of sex workers from violence, exploitation and coercion with community safety.

 

"We have got to get away from this idea that they (sex workers) are non-citizens or they don't have the same rights as other people," Davies says. "You know there are many individuals as we saw with the missing women of Vancouver, who are at great risk and if we fail to act, then we're adding to the vulnerability that they have."

 

In her ruling, Justice Himel suspended the effect of her decision for 30 days. She said she recognized her decision could lead to the operation of unlicensed brothels.