Very interesting article, I wonder if Ottawa has the same hold on investigations. Anyhow, we're likely years away from it being legalized.. up to the supreme court, then another years delay of the government being given the option to rewrite the code.. which they'll likely do not in good faith, so another legal challenge will ensue..
I copied most of it, but left off the bottom half since it was a summary of random escorts and their offerings... see link for full story.
Online escorts beyond the law
By Tom Godfrey, QMI Agency
TORONTO - The oldest profession is alive and well in Toronto, prospering in the Internet age as providers and participants go online in search of each other.
It is also operating outside the boundaries of the law as uncertainty continues to surround legislation defining just who can and cannot offer the services of prostitution.
Toronto escort Amanda is one of those waiting for clear legal definition of her chosen profession.
She is yet to know if she’ll have to register her company, give receipts or collect taxes for sex acts if prostitution laws are struck down on appeal in Ontario.
The uncertainty has led to Toronto Police stopping some vice investigations as a law is challenged in the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
This follows a ruling that sex workers should be able to conduct business in homes and brothels with proper security to protect the women.
“Investigations into escort agencies have been placed on hold pending an appeal of prostitution laws,” said Toronto Const. Victor Kwong. “The investigations on hold are to determine if prostitution laws are being broken.”
Amanda, 28, and a roommate, have been operating a thriving escort service for about four years.
They claim they’re making “good money” and have never had a bad date. Their services are offered solely via an online presence.
“We are pretty good at screening the men who come here,” says the Mississauga-born former bank worker who got into the sex trade after being let go from a downtown job. “We don’t give them the address or apartment number until we know who they are.”
The phone in the apartment rings constantly as clients, both men and women, book appointments that can cost up to $240 hourly for sex, bondage, role playing, foot fetish, domination and other techniques.
“My clients are from all cultures and their age ranges from 18 to 75,” Amanda says. “Many of them are repeat customers who won’t go anywhere else.”
She says an escort can earn up to $3,000 weekly and doesn’t require a permit from the city or pay taxes. She advertises her services on the Internet and has a stable of clients. Her website has a calendar where clients can book dates.
“If the law goes through it means we will have to register our business and give receipts,” Amanda says. “That means we would have to pay taxes like a regular company.”
She’s never had a problem with police or authorities prying into her business.
“It’s almost legal being an escort,” Amanda says. “We don’t have to pay taxes and have the best of both worlds.”
Toronto councillor Giorgio Mammoliti says the rules governing escort agencies and massage parlours are not being enforced due to the current legal challenge.
“This is still a major issue in most communities,” Mammoliti says. “We as municipalities cannot do anything to take enforcement action.”
He has been trying to evict 20 agencies and parlours that have been operating in his York West riding for years. Some of the so-called “spas” are in industrial units and equipped with security cameras and dark windows so residents can’t see inside.
Mammoliti estimates there are about 3,000 agencies, including massage parlours, bawdy houses, brothels and spas scattered throughout the city. Most are unregulated and anything goes, he says.
Mammoliti says some escorts can earn up to $3,000 daily and they pay no taxes nor require a permit from the city. Some councillors claim sex workers can work alongside exotic dancers at strip clubs that will become bordellos if the law is struck down on appeal.
And, as politicians and vice cops await a ruling, an aggressive campaign is underway by escort agencies to lure clients by offering discounts and making it easier to view, book and pay for dates online.
Most agencies use web sites or newspapers to advertise their services. They provide photos of their escorts, a lengthy list of the various sex acts they provide and a price list.
University student Ginger is just one of hundreds with a profile online.
She says she’s an ‘icon’ in the Niagara Region, who recently moved to Toronto.
Billed as ‘Sexy Redhead Ginger,’ she charges up to $240 an hour and claims to have made a name for herself in towns like Beamsville, Grimsby, Sarnia, Port Hope, Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, according to her website.
“Her bewitching personality will bring a smile to your face as she seduces you,” says one of her ads. “Talking politics or science fiction in a hot tub is one of Ginger’s favourite activities.”
She claims to have a new condo in downtown Toronto that is always open for business.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2012/05/12/19751011.html
I copied most of it, but left off the bottom half since it was a summary of random escorts and their offerings... see link for full story.
Online escorts beyond the law
By Tom Godfrey, QMI Agency
TORONTO - The oldest profession is alive and well in Toronto, prospering in the Internet age as providers and participants go online in search of each other.
It is also operating outside the boundaries of the law as uncertainty continues to surround legislation defining just who can and cannot offer the services of prostitution.
Toronto escort Amanda is one of those waiting for clear legal definition of her chosen profession.
She is yet to know if she’ll have to register her company, give receipts or collect taxes for sex acts if prostitution laws are struck down on appeal in Ontario.
The uncertainty has led to Toronto Police stopping some vice investigations as a law is challenged in the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
This follows a ruling that sex workers should be able to conduct business in homes and brothels with proper security to protect the women.
“Investigations into escort agencies have been placed on hold pending an appeal of prostitution laws,” said Toronto Const. Victor Kwong. “The investigations on hold are to determine if prostitution laws are being broken.”
Amanda, 28, and a roommate, have been operating a thriving escort service for about four years.
They claim they’re making “good money” and have never had a bad date. Their services are offered solely via an online presence.
“We are pretty good at screening the men who come here,” says the Mississauga-born former bank worker who got into the sex trade after being let go from a downtown job. “We don’t give them the address or apartment number until we know who they are.”
The phone in the apartment rings constantly as clients, both men and women, book appointments that can cost up to $240 hourly for sex, bondage, role playing, foot fetish, domination and other techniques.
“My clients are from all cultures and their age ranges from 18 to 75,” Amanda says. “Many of them are repeat customers who won’t go anywhere else.”
She says an escort can earn up to $3,000 weekly and doesn’t require a permit from the city or pay taxes. She advertises her services on the Internet and has a stable of clients. Her website has a calendar where clients can book dates.
“If the law goes through it means we will have to register our business and give receipts,” Amanda says. “That means we would have to pay taxes like a regular company.”
She’s never had a problem with police or authorities prying into her business.
“It’s almost legal being an escort,” Amanda says. “We don’t have to pay taxes and have the best of both worlds.”
Toronto councillor Giorgio Mammoliti says the rules governing escort agencies and massage parlours are not being enforced due to the current legal challenge.
“This is still a major issue in most communities,” Mammoliti says. “We as municipalities cannot do anything to take enforcement action.”
He has been trying to evict 20 agencies and parlours that have been operating in his York West riding for years. Some of the so-called “spas” are in industrial units and equipped with security cameras and dark windows so residents can’t see inside.
Mammoliti estimates there are about 3,000 agencies, including massage parlours, bawdy houses, brothels and spas scattered throughout the city. Most are unregulated and anything goes, he says.
Mammoliti says some escorts can earn up to $3,000 daily and they pay no taxes nor require a permit from the city. Some councillors claim sex workers can work alongside exotic dancers at strip clubs that will become bordellos if the law is struck down on appeal.
And, as politicians and vice cops await a ruling, an aggressive campaign is underway by escort agencies to lure clients by offering discounts and making it easier to view, book and pay for dates online.
Most agencies use web sites or newspapers to advertise their services. They provide photos of their escorts, a lengthy list of the various sex acts they provide and a price list.
University student Ginger is just one of hundreds with a profile online.
She says she’s an ‘icon’ in the Niagara Region, who recently moved to Toronto.
Billed as ‘Sexy Redhead Ginger,’ she charges up to $240 an hour and claims to have made a name for herself in towns like Beamsville, Grimsby, Sarnia, Port Hope, Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, according to her website.
“Her bewitching personality will bring a smile to your face as she seduces you,” says one of her ads. “Talking politics or science fiction in a hot tub is one of Ginger’s favourite activities.”
She claims to have a new condo in downtown Toronto that is always open for business.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2012/05/12/19751011.html
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