Bill C-36 Media Watchlist - you can help!

[Studio 110 by Sophia 150333]

I want to mention, that when I renewed my yellow pages ad, they were very unaware of the new changes. So I filled them in on what I knew and suggested that they contact their legal reps for a consultation.

 

I was an agency, but since this new Bill is our reality, I gone back to a solo business. They were grateful for the info I had shared with them and will be looking into what changes they also will need to make for other agencies.

 

I was carful in my ad title, as I put the words " independent entertainer" which pleased their legal responsibilities for 3rd party advertisers.

[Escapefromstress 2976]

Consistent with her position on C-36, Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party, has just introduced to the House of Commons motions which would in effect get rid of the Bill as a whole:

 

http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Pub=NoticeOrder&Mode=1&Language=E&Parl=41&Ses=2&File=12

Anyone interested in following the progress of the Bill, can track it here:

 

http://www.parl.gc.ca/LEGISInfo/BillDetails.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&billId=6635303

 

Hamilton SIU to investigate Hamilton cop who preyed on sex workers Sept. 15/14

 

Ottawa Ottawa mayor candidate Darren Wood: legalize bordellos, tax sex workers Sept. 11/14

[Escapefromstress 2976]

Vancouver East Liberals will host town hall meeting on Bill C-36, which criminalizes prostitution

 

by CHARLIE SMITH on SEP 22, 2014 at 4:57 PM

 

http://www.straight.com/news/734206/vancouver-east-liberals-will-host-town-hall-meeting-bill-c-36-which-criminalizes-prostitution

 

MORE THAN THREE months ago, I suggested that Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau was the only hope for sex workers.

 

It came in the wake of the Conservative government unveiling Bill C-36, which criminalizes the customers of sex workers.

 

Some commenters on this website ripped into me for suggesting that Trudeau would do this. After all, Trudeau has previously supported the Nordic model, which also criminalizes the client.

 

My response is that Trudeau changed his views on marijuana.

 

There's no reason he wouldn't reverse his position on prostitution if there were sufficient public support and if evidence led the Liberals in that direction.

 

The research by SFU's John Lowman and others is already clear. Sex workers' lives are jeopardized when the state drives their industry underground.

 

That's why the Supreme Court of Canada concluded that Criminal Code prohibitions on soliciting clients in public, keeping a common bawdy house, and living off the avails of prostitution are unconstitutional.

 

The government's response, Bill C-36, might as well be called the Willie Pickton Law. That's because it will make it easier for predators to kill sex workers after the Harperites have once again pushed sex workers to the margins.

 

I'm surprised that Justice Minister Peter MacKay would countenance something like this, but who knows what's going on his brain?

 

This week, the Vancouver East Liberals have announced that they will host a town hall meeting on Bill C-36. It suggests that the party has an open mind on this issue.

 

Door open at 6:30 p.m. at the Strathcona Community Centre on Thursday (September 25).

 

The panel features sex-workers' advocate Jamie Lee Hamilton, Vancouver park commissioner Sarah Blyth, and UBC researcher Becki Ross.

 

It's taking place in the riding of NDP MP Libby Davies, who's long been an advocate for increasing sex workers' safety.

 

In 2002, Davies introduced a motion in Parliament to review prostitution laws. That was the same year that Pickton was charged with 26 murders.

 

Late last year, Davies issued a statement welcoming the Supreme Court of Canada's ruling striking down three sections of the Criminal Code.

 

"The exploitation, murder and violence against sex trade workers in Canada happens at an alarming rate, and until today, the laws dealing with prostitution remained unchanged and governments remained unwilling to realistically deal with this growing public safety issue," she said. "These laws have been a failure, both from the perspective of assisting and protecting sex workers as well as in mitigating the impacts of street prostitution on local communities."

 

Davies also spoke at a rally this year opposing Bill C-36.

 

So why is Justin Trudeau and not NDP leader Tom Mulcair the only hope for sex workers?

 

It's because most of Davies' colleagues in Parliament have been silent on this issue. And if the NDP forms government, there's no guarantee that it will reverse the criminalization of customers and other unconstitutional aspects of Bill C-36 until Mulcair delivers an unequivocal statement on this issue.

 

It's fine and dandy for him to stand up in Parliament and put the government's feet to the fire with regard to Senate expenses. But Bill C-36 is legislation that will result in people dying unnecessarily. Why isn't the Opposition leader putting as much energy into this?

 

In the meantime, the federal Liberals are seeking public input. That's the first step along the road to developing better policies.

 

It's why I still believe that Justin Trudeau is the only hope for sex workers.

 

Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter @csmithstraight.

 

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May says prostitution bill is 'unfixable'

 

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/09/22/may-says-prostitution-bill-is-unfixable

 

OTTAWA -- Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said the government prostitution Bill C-36 is "unfixable."

 

"I couldn't find a way to amend the bill and actually fix it," she said, recommending the bill be ditched entirely.

 

The controversial legislation was back to the House of Commons for a final review Monday, so opposition MPs from all parties had one final chance to weigh in.

 

The Supreme Court last December ruled Canada's existing laws on the world's oldest profession were unconstitutional and ordered Parliament to come up with something new.

 

Initiated by Justice Minister Peter MacKay, the overarching theme behind the bill is to criminalize the purchase of sex, but not its sale.

 

Though he's been criticized for it, MacKay has stated he believes his "made-in-Canada" approach is the best step toward the "aspirational" goal of eliminating prostitution altogether.

[Studio 110 by Sophia 150333]

In my opinion, ( and hope that I do not get too much fire from this)

I believe that our parties will state what they need to and take a certain position to get elected, such as my example of NB elections last week.

In our NB provincial election, the liberal party put on airs that they were against fracking. I believe this was to gain votes for their party as there is a big " anti fracking" position here.

 

However once he was elected, he made a statement that when you read between the lines, it basically said that they are NOT against, but will look into it....then I did research....turns out every Liberal except one PC has been in favor and publically used as campaign issue.

( of course the running parties were against as well, but I mean the ones who were in office)

Not only in favor, but ONE Liberal in the 80-90's signed the contract that still stands. This was Frank Makenna. In which he brought many good things to our province it turns out.

 

SO....Does this mean that Liberal Party will be swayed one way or another just in time for elections???? YES! But then they simply can revoke their stance afterwards. By being so vague allows him room to get the votes to get in without loosing the votes he wants.

 

I do believe that Justin Trudeau would be our hope, even IF he did make a stance that is not clearly stated in the media. He will probably would be vague as long as he can on this issue. Therefore getting the votes he wants. But to follow through is another issue.

 

Also, YES I agree that this new way is to say the least dangerous for many venerable men & women workers, I do see something's that I agree with.

 

Such as:

Being able to work incall legally, independently,

Our loved ones not living off the avails

being able to work independently and advertise independently,

However,

not agreeing with agencies as being 3rd party...some need an agent to work safe while not being pimped and forced.

Of course all that surrounds streetwalker not being able to be in safety.

 

Last but not least.....

I have not spoken to anyone who has this issue on the brain, which could be good...but also can be bad if the general public can not have the chance to learn and see this as a real issue.

[Escapefromstress 2976]

According to Françoise Boivin, from the NDP, the next steps for C-36 are few hours of debate on Friday for the 3rd reading, and then final vote at the Hoc next week:

 

#C36 Vote étape du rapport. Ne restera que quelques hrs de débat en 3ième lecture vendredi et vote la semaine prochaine. #polcan #Bedford

https://twitter.com/FBoivinNPD/statu...18774603759616

 

A motion, at the Report Stage, to delete the Bill was just defeated by the Cons.

 

https://twitter.com/Mercedes_Allen/s...19738727055360

[Escapefromstress 2976]

Third reading of Bill C-36 today.

 

http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Pub=projected&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=41&Ses=2

[Midnite-Energies 110563]

From Third reading

 

http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Pub=Hansard&Doc=122&Parl=41&Ses=2&Language=E&Mode=1

[Escapefromstress 2976]

Bill C-36 passes third reading in the House by a vote of 156 to 124.

 

Next step: the Senate

[kerrixoxo 33719]

If you want notifications sent directly to your email (not that this is ever a good idea unless you are working on a project or something else), try setting up google notifications.

[tanyathetgurl 857]

<Zoom up to 30,000 feet>

 

I'm sitting here literally blinking back tears after spending a lot of time this morning reading about the C-36 law, and the very thoughtful, logical posts on this board, including the quoted comments by the CBA.

 

Yes, the law is unjust and I have many issues with it, and the horse it rode in on.

 

But, wow. Here I sit, in Vancouver, and all around me including thousands of miles towards the east, is a massive network of bright sparks -- benevolent, thoughtful, logical, reasonable and articulate people.

 

Having lived in many other countries, I can really appreciate the contrast. I'm proud to be here.

 

</zoom>

[Escapefromstress 2976]

<Zoom up to 30,000 feet>

 

I'm sitting here literally blinking back tears after spending a lot of time this morning reading about the C-36 law, and the very thoughtful, logical posts on this board, including the quoted comments by the CBA.

 

Yes, the law is unjust and I have many issues with it, and the horse it rode in on.

 

But, wow. Here I sit, in Vancouver, and all around me including thousands of miles towards the east, is a massive network of bright sparks -- benevolent, thoughtful, logical, reasonable and articulate people.

 

Having lived in many other countries, I can really appreciate the contrast. I'm proud to be here.

 

</zoom>

 

Hey tanya - I'm in the Fraser Valley, just a couple hours east of you. Lots of BC industry people here on cerb. It's good to be part of an online community of like-minded people.

[Escapefromstress 2976]

In an effort to help everyone stay updated on the Political/Legal issues affecting the Canadian Escort Industry, we're asking for your help in listing Media Items.

 

Please post links to any Industry-related items such as:

 

• Articles regarding Backpages, Craigslist Therapeutics and other Escort Advertising venues.
  
• Updates regarding changes other Industry Forums have made in response to the new laws.
  
• Statements from Police Services in major cities regarding how they plan to interpret and enforce the new laws.
  
• Items regarding Police stings, arrests and court cases.
  

[Two Thirty 1422]

Not sure if this op-ed, which appears in today's G&M, counts. But I thought it worthwhile to note, as it was written by Angela Campbell, an associate professor in the Faculty of Law, McGill University. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/we-condemn-attacks-on-women-at-work-unless-its-sex-work/article21533142/

[Guest s******ecan****]

The reality is the law is now on the books and we are all vulnerable to it in different ways. For Clients the risks are prosecution and jail time, for providers the risks are personal safety as screening becomes very difficult and loss of business as clients limit activities or "retire".

 

I predicted this result when the original SC decision struck down the laws (always thought the petitioners were misguided and should have left well enough alone as the religious right was always going to bring in a more restrictive set of laws) you can even go back and look in the thread.

 

Whilst there is an encouraging level of opposition in some political camps don't hold your breath waiting for the laws to be changed.

 

If the Conservatives win re-election obviously nothing will change without another court challenge. If the Liberals win I think the same holds true. Most polls show Canadians oppose the legislation but it is not a priority issue. A new government will not expend energy or political capital on this issue no matter how much it matters to all of us.

 

It seems the only chance of reform will be another court challenge. The problem here is that requires a client willing to take a personal conviction and make it into a public crusade. The vast majority of clients who will be charged under this law will not be interested in pursuing this route. They will simply want the charge dealt with as quietly as possible. SC challenges normally require a person willing to engage in a fight for justice sacrificing privacy and resources in a process which at best has an uncertain outcome.

 

Different police forces will make their own decisions about what resources to devote to this. Many will make it a low priority and probably still focus on the street with the main change being they will be arresting clients instead of providers. However that doesn't mean that more upscale services won't be immune. All clients must now know that every time they see a provider they are breaking the law in a way they were not previously. It is a new environment that should give pause.

 

For providers screening will become increasingly difficult as clients are naturally going to have tremendous incentive to remain anonymous.

 

We're in an new era and only time will tell for sure but one thing that remains certain is that the oldest profession will go on as surely as night leads to day.