However,
At another workshop, there was little evidence of support for a resolution calling for the decriminalization of prostitution, proposed by the party’s youth commission.
But Young Liberal president Mira Ahmad said it’s very popular among youth delegates, who make up almost one third of the roughly 3,000 Liberals at the convention.
“Youth have a history of challenging the party status quo and pushing for progressive policies,” she said after the workshop, conceding that “Some Liberals may not like it.”
Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said the government is already considering decriminalization, among other options, for dealing with the sex trade.
Earlier:
Liberals from across the country are headed to Halifax this week for the party's biannual national convention, and one of the issues up for debate is the decriminalization of consensual sex work and sex trade.
"This is not an issue that politicians want to touch," Kerry Porth, a board member with Vancouver-based Pivot Legal Society, told HuffPost Canada. "It's a very disappointing time for sex workers in Canada. They're feeling very demoralized."
The reworked laws don't protect sex workers, the resolution argues, it "pushes them to work underground and in dangerous conditions."
Porth, a former sex worker, agrees. She is currently working with Pivot on a feasibility study of launching another court challenge to change the country's laws, again, around sex work. She called the amendments made four years ago "really damaging."
Another Charter challenge could take 10 years
One example of a change made by the Conservatives, in response to the Bedford decision, is the introduction of a ban on ads for sexual services. On the surface level, the Bill C-36 provision appeared to be a way to cut access and curtail demand in hopes of reducing the number sex workers.
But advocates say the provision was short-sighted and took away a sex worker's option to safely work indoors. It's one of several continued violations, they argue, to sex workers' Charter rights of life, liberty and security.
The Liberals stood firmly against Bill C-36. A statement from the party at the time noted "serious concerns" with the Conservative legislation, saying it "fails to adequately protect the health and safety of vulnerable people, particularly women."
Porth said the effect of the new laws has been a disappointing turn of events. A Charter challenge can take seven to 10 years "and it's really hard on the sex workers who appear as plaintiffs."
Youth wing fulfilling role to challenge status quo
Even if the Young Liberals' proposal to decriminalize consensual sex work and the sex trade is approved by the majority of delegates on Saturday, there are no rules requiring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government to adopt the policy.
The party was previously slated to debate the topic of legalizing prostitution in 2014, but it was withdrawn before convention after its supporters admitted it needed more work.
Porth is heartened that young people feel strongly about the issue and want to see injustice addressed. Young people always seem to be the ones to "pull the morality out of this issue" more than adults, she said. But she remains skeptical.
"I'm not sure how much power Young Liberals have."
Young Liberals do have the opportunity, if the process allows, to make significant change.
Mira Ahmad, president of Young Liberals of Canada
Mira Ahmad, president of the Young Liberals of Canada, said the resolution to decriminalize sex work is an example of the youth caucus' role in pushing for progressive change.
"Young Liberals do have the opportunity, if the process allows, to make significant change. And I think this process definitely allowed for that," she said.
Porth said the Liberals need to make good on pledges they made during the election campaign to support the decriminalization of sex work.
"I think sex workers are getting a bit tired of waiting, and a bit tired of paying with their lives."
From HuffPost Canada
