Here are my answers. It's somewhat disheartening to discover that only 30 members have completed the survey. Bear in mind that if a Nordic model is passed, it will have a major impact on our freedoms to conduct our affairs where this industry is concerned. I urge everyone to stand up and speak out. Don't be a lemming or you will have Harper's conservative ideology rammed down your throat. I can almost guarantee it.
Consultation Questions
1. Do you think that purchasing sexual services from an adult should be a criminal offence? Should there be any exceptions? Please explain.
Comment: No. I feel that purchasing of sexual services should not be a criminal offence as it is contrary to the recent SCC ruling which struck down Canada's existing prostitution laws. Criminalizing the purchase of sex violates section seven of the Canadian Charter Of Rights and Freedoms since it does nothing to aid the safety of the person who is engaged in sex work. Criminalization will only relegate prostitution further into the shadows and have the effect of making it less safe for women to conduct their affairs, which rails against the spirit of the SCC's ruling. Of course, exceptions should be made for exploitation of minors and sex trafficking. However there are already current laws in place to effectively deal with these issues.
2. Do you think that selling sexual services by an adult should be a criminal offence? Should there be any exceptions? Please explain.
Comment: No. Selling sexual services should not be a criminal offense. Exceptions should apply in cases where someone is coerced. However, where participants are engaging in sex work of their own volition, there should be no state intervention.
3. If you support allowing the sale or purchase of sexual services, what limitations should there be, if any, on where or how this can be conducted? Please explain.
Comment: I feel that the health and safety of sex workers and their clients should be of paramount importance. To that end, those who engage in sex work should be afforded a safe place to conduct business, and have health access as required. Furthermore, clients should be free to purchase said legal services without impediment.
4. Do you think that it should be a criminal offence for a person to benefit economically from the prostitution of an adult? Should there be any exceptions? Please explain.
Comment: No. As in other legal professions, workers have the right to hire assistants for monetary compensation. The case for willing sex workers should be no different, as anything else would be discriminatory. Sex workers should have the right to hire body guards, drivers, and other aids as they see fit.
5. Are there any other comments you wish to offer to inform the Government's response to the Bedford decision?
Comment: In light of the SCC's ruling, decriminalization is the best possible option. To do otherwise would only subject participants to undue harms pursuant to a misguided ideology. Certainly, if the safety, well being and the right to conduct legal work without duress exists in all other legal professions, sex work cannot be an exception.
6. Are you are writing on behalf of an organization? If so, please identify the organization and your title or role:
Comment: No.