CP News item cited in the article
June 2000 - OTTAWA (CP) -- A Bloc Quebecois MP is pushing the idea of legalizing prostitution. Real Menard, who has drawn up a private member's bill proposing government-regulated brothels, said Friday legalizing and controlling prostitution would help prevent violence toward sex workers and help clean up the streets. "Obviously we hope it would reduce street prostitution," said Menard. "It would also allow us to have some regulation in as much as it would be the attorney general who grants the licence." Regulating the industry could keep the sex trade out of residential areas, he said. The Bloc calls its plan a starting point to get people talking. Fellow Bloc member Pierrette Venne said her primary concern is the safety of women. The party says if Canadians reject the idea, it will drop it. If they support the project, the Bloc would introduce a bill in the Commons. A similar proposal by Liberal Mac Harb would let municipalities decide whether to legalize the sex trade. Menard said he based his proposal on an Australian model.
