A Toronto judge has struck down Canada’s prostitution laws, saying provisions meant to protect women and residential neighbourhoods are endangering sex workers’ lives. If Justice Susan Himel’s decision stands, prostitutes will be able to communicate freely with customers on the street, conduct business in their homes or brothels and hire bodyguards and accountants without exposing them to the risk of criminal sanctions.
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said the federal government is “very concerned” and is seriously considering an appeal of the 131-page ruling.
Alan Young, a lawyer at the forefront of the landmark legal challenge, said it is too early to say whether Tuesday’s decision could open the door to Canada going “the way of Germany with five-story brothels.”
But to his client, Terri-Jean Bedford, a dominatrix who was convicted in 1998 of keeping a common bawdy house, it was “emancipation day.” “How am I going to celebrate? I’m going to spank some ass,” Bedford, cracking a riding whip, told reporters.
Let the discourse begin anew!
Found by John Martinez.
Prostitution is illegal because it is unfair competition against the very widespread marriage business that is operated by non-hookers. Lots of “family” women use the allure of sex to entice men and secure a lifetime provider. When prostitution is legal or tolerated, with so much pussy easily available, men are a lot less motivated to get married and accept all the burden that comes with marriage.
Prostitution is also illegal because the goddamn religions don’t like it. Law should be secular, but lots of religious nuts are in the position to make the laws. Who needs Sharia anyway, we already have the annoying Christians telling us what to do, even in bed. Especially in bed!
I’m sure the residents in and around those neighborhoods will appreciate the increased traffic, litter, assaults, arguments and decreased property value from all the horn dogs trolling for discount poon on the hoof.
Yup. Prostitution is a ‘victimless crime, alright.’ Why else would one need to hire a body guard?
#22 – The question isn’t if prostitution is a good idea or if it causes problems. The question is does making it illegal improve anything – the answer to that question is not only does it improve anything it makes most things worse.
Regulated and Taxed prostitution is a much better option than driving it under ground by having it be illegal.
@22,
I have seen a few brothels here in my city (not USA). I even have seen a 10-storey building that has two brothels on every floor. Yes, that’s 20 mini brothels in one building. Most of these places exist in very quiet streets, and no one can tell they are brothels just by looking from outside. They look just like any other regular house on the same street. Most of these brothels don’t have any security staff or “bodyguards”. Guys go there to make love, not war.
Well, maybe your country is too violent…
My namesake does not believe in freedom but I do. I also believe in hookers.
FREEDOM: Other people doing things you don’t like.
If all prostitution were illegal, men wouldn’t be paying for dinners and drinks.
“Canadian Hooker” happens to be one of my favorite bands. HAR!
#20 Bobbo – The “phoning it in” sobriquet is literal. I’m using my Android phone to access and reply while I’m in Laos. By the way – anyone who hates typing on an onscreen keyboard, try Shapewriter.
#21 Luc – I agree as much as dating and some marriage is prostitutionish. (My last marriage was more of an aggravated assault – but that’s another story.) The best thing about real prostitutes is the lack of “anchor” babies.
Fortunately, my lady friend does not read this forum…
Animby–STILL on the phone? For no reason whatsoever, I thought that trip would be about one week. So much for “settling down?”
Luc/Animby/Faxon==equating dating/marriage with prostitution is the day dream projection of “men with money.” I don’t even care to what degree you actually know how “multi-faceted” your own sex drive is–it is. That balance between the herd instinct and the rogue instinct, youth and growing older, growing older and making peace.
Most women are still self centered though, not much changes that.
Ha, ha. Not at the making peace stage yet.
I live in Germany. Prostitution is legal here. The prostitutes pay taxes, they have to get checked on a regular basis. The brothels are open to anybody (over 18). We have less problems here than in the US for examples.
@Luc…I thought the times, where you can keep a man with a ring on his finger, are long over. Even kids don’t work anymore…
And as far as religion goes…isn’t prostitution in the bible? Wasn’t Maria Magdalena a hooker? Isn’t that the oldest business on earth?
I am glad it is legal here. I am sure the rape rate and child molestation rate would be way higher if it would be illegal. I bow down before these women. I couldn’t do what they do, but I am glad they exist. And I am a woman.
Dee==with some major and minor quibbles I think it is fair to say you “do” exactly the same thing as prostitutes. Only your motivation and expectations are different, but those are not what you do.
Good to see your values are informed by your own self interest though.
I would guess this judge has never lived in a neighborhood where street prostitution is rampant. I have, on more than one occasion, and it’s not something you EVER want to live with as the girls and pimps are bold and obnoxious, and frequently dangerous – I had a couple of try to rob me. So street prostitution is not a victimless crime – everyone who lives in the neighborhood and has to experience it is a victim.
Morever, judges should NOT be allowed to strike down laws. They should be able to give opinions – but THAT’S ALL. Only the citizens and their directly elected officials should be able to legislate or remove legislation ON ANY ISSUE REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT IS. Otherwise, you end up with the ludicrous and undemocratic spectacle of one, or a few individuals, making law for an entire society.
That’s simply wrong, whether at the local level or the Supreme Court – only the people through their representatives should make law…ON ANY ISSUE. and I know the ramifications of that too, in regards to prejudice and discrimination. But that has to be changed by either means than the judicial…or it simply goes underground and becomes a poison in the system.
@ the losers in this thread
I won’t spend time arguing about whether prostitution should be legal.
Rather I will question what it is about you that you need prostitution to laid.
Evolution is in part that losers get none and winners get all. Quit trying to game the system, the system works fine. Just look at the results.