I was pretty happy with what Mackay had to say. He suggests that it will be a make in Canada solution, that he aims to protect the vulnerable, that he wants to get this thing going this spring. So: not necessarily the Nordic model, good on him for protecting the truly vulnerable, and let's see what he has in mind so people can have a say. It will take a while to go through the processes, get passed, get royal ascent, etc, so if he spells it out soon there will be time for people to speak up.
I don't much like the present government but I don't think they are going to go all social conservative over this as it isn't a winner for them - look at ALL the polls and response posts to stories on this issue - overwhelmingly supportive of a solution that doesn't make the situation worse, and often suggesting some sort of legalization as the better way forward. Even the police are divided, and they surely represent the most serious threat to the hobby. Of course the religious right and the nutty feminists (as distinct from the reasonable ones) are all for hanging johns, but they want to hang abortionists too, even more than us, and they haven't got any traction with Harper.
They MIGHT go draconian, but they might also go all fudgy - re-enforce human trafficking laws, set up outreach for prostitutes who want to get out, stuff like that - in other words, stuff to make them look like they are doing something without actually doing anything. They have bigger problems than this, and to make another stand that shows them as insensitive law and order douchebags might not seem to them to be a great idea.
Someone above posted that they have "lost respect" for anyone not shouting from the watchtowers... what do you want? we don't know what they have in mind, most of us have participated in the request for comments, polls seem to show support for some sort of legalization... it's as if you think this issue is the most important thing there is in most people's lives. Most people don't really care as long as their kids aren't picking up and sucking on used condoms they find in the street.
And what "groups" do you mean anyway? Hobbyist groups? Are there any? Organizations supporting sex workers have certainly been speaking out, and also some social scientists. It's a big deal for YOU particularly because you are in the business, and I don't see any organized outreach from the agencies... maybe work on that instead of "loosing respect" for the people who pay for your services.