The subject who is truly loyal to the Chief Magistrate will neither advise nor submit to arbitrary measures. Sex work and the rules around it have dominated Parliament Hill chatter. The second stage of the federal government's race to pass a bill governing prostitution by the end of the year has begun, with the Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee beginning hearings. This comes after the House of Commons justice committee's rare summer sitting on Bill C , which was tabled in June, six months after the Supreme Court struck down some of Canada's prostitution laws.
Dozens of witnesses have spoken about the bill, with some supporting it and others calling for it to be amended or scrapped altogether. Here's a glance at what the government is proposing, and what critics say about the changes. They also face penalties under the bill, though the government says it is largely trying to go after the buyers of sex. Some critics have warned that latter clause could, for instance, prevent sex workers from working together, which some do to improve safety.
This could potentially include newspapers, such as weekly publications that include personal ads from sex workers, or websites that publish similar ads. Justice Minister Peter MacKay appears to believe the ban could go after such publications.
This has been welcomed by some, including Janine Benedet, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia who supports the bill overall, though she called for some changes. Yes β sex workers themselves. The bill also gives a judge new powers to order a sex ad seized or deleted β by amending a clause that previously extended those powers in cases of child pornography or voyeurism. The group whose challenge led to the December Supreme Court decision has already promised another legal fight.
The opposition parties have opposed the bill. Once done at the committee, it will return to the House of Commons, which is scheduled to return from its summer break Sept. It is now working its way through the Senate. Produced by digital politics editor Chris Hannay. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. Non-subscribers can read and sort comments but will not be able to engage with them in any way.
