In an Ontario court on Tuesday, Justice Susan Hamel issued a decision in a case where a group of sex workers had argued that restrictions against "keeping a common bawdy house" (i.e., brothels) were making their lives unnecessarily more dangerous, by forcing them to work on the streets.
Justice Hamel agreed with their argument that such restrictions violated the "security of person" and "freedom of expression", both guaranteed rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (aussi disponible en français ici).
The consequences of the decision are far-reaching - though it's suspended for 30 days to allow the various levels of government to respond (and the Feds, at least, indicate they may well appeal, because of course a Tory government couldn't possibly allow women bodily autonomy or agency, or sex workers to have safety or security) - including the possibility of forming unions or associations, paying income tax on proceeds of prostitution, reporting dangerous clients to police, hiring security workers, and setting healthcare policies in place.
The repellent right-wing group REAL Women had some pointless things to add, but nothing anyone here would be surprised at nor interested to hear.
Tip of the CaitieCap to Shaker PerfectlySkewed (sorry about the delay - I'm actually on a short vacation in Baltimore this week)
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