Ottawa rejects B.C. study showing its new policy will harm sex workers

OTTAWA – The Harper government reacted defiantly Tuesday to a B.C. study which said its plan to bring in a law targeting buyers of sexual services rather than prostitutes will just end up victimizing sex workers in contravention of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The study, sponsored partly by the University of B.C., said the plan is “rhetorically powerful” and “politically appealing” but downright dangerous to the health and safety of prostitutes.

But the government countered with research of its own – a recent online survey which found support for its pending legislation to go after the buyers rather than sellers.

“Our Government has been clear that we will bring forward legislation to address the significant harms that flow from prostitution to communities and vulnerable people,” said Paloma Aguilar, spokeswoman for Justice Minister Peter MacKay.

“Our comprehensive response will be reflective of the extensive consultation our Government has held on this subject, which included over 31,000 responses to an online consultation and an in-person stakeholder roundtable hosted by Minister MacKay.”

The B.C. research involves interviews with 31 street prostitutes conducted last year after the Vancouver Police Department formally launched a policy to target so-called “johns,” or sex buyers, while trying to protect sex workers.

Peter O’Neil
The Vancouver Sun
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