Supreme Court of Canada hears landmark challenge to sex work laws

published on June 13, 2013

On June 13th, 2013, the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS joined the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and the HIV/AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario to co-intervene in Bedford v. Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada. The intervention focused on evidence-based sex work policy reform aimed at promoting the health and safety of sex workers, and improving HIV prevention.

The BC-CfE was an intervenor, and our lawyer, Jonathan Shime, addresses the court beginning at 452:00 on this video of the proceedings:

Kate Shannon and Sandra Ka Hon Chu: Legalize the sex trade
This Thursday, the Supreme Court of Canada is set to hear Bedford vs. Canada, a case on the constitutionality of criminal laws governing sex work. The case, brought forward by three sex workers — Terry-Jean Bedford, Amy Lebovitch, and Valerie Scott — is a direct result of the refusal of consecutive federal governments to respond to enormous volumes of evidence that these laws do more harm than they prevent.

Kate Shannon & Sandra Ka Hon Chu
National Post
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Editorial: Prostitution laws create extreme risks for women in the sex trade
The Canadian government argued at the Supreme Court on Thursday that women who choose to be prostitutes are responsible for the risks they face. That argument is blind to the dangerous consequences of this country’s prostitution laws, as seen in the serial murders, perhaps as many as 49, committed by Robert Pickton of Port Coquitlam, B.C.

The Globe & Mail
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Supreme Court prostitution case: Judges challenge government to justify brothel ban
OTTAWA—Usually the place of high-minded legal arguments, the Supreme Court of Canada Thursday saw bare-knuckled exchanges over where and how women and men should be able to legally buy and sell sex.
The country's top court challenged government lawyers to justify criminal laws against brothels that drive vulnerable prostitutes into a more dangerous place — the street — to practice what remains a legal activity.

Tonda MacCharles
Ottawa Bureau reporter
Toronto Star
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Canada's Supreme Court has tough questions in hearing on prostitution challenge
OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada grappled Thursday with whether Canada's prostitution law is at odds with the Constitution as demonstrators on both sides of the debate gathered outside to express their views.

Mike Blanchfield
The Canadian Press
Vancouver Sun
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Crown punts sex-for-hire issue to politicians in landmark court battle
The final legal battle over the country's prostitution laws began Thursday morning with a strong plea from the federal government to leave the contentious issue of sex for hire to elected politicians.

Kirk Makin
The Globe & Mail
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BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

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Supreme Court of Canada hears landmark challenge to sex work laws

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