More than human rights groups are calling on whichever federal party forms the government after the next election to decriminalize sex work as a way to protect the health and safety of those involved in the industry. It comes as legislation to decriminalize sex work has been put forward in the U.
A number of current U. And the Liberals are being criticized for not tackling the issue during their time in government. In , the previous Conservative government under Stephen Harper implemented Bill C, The Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, which made it a crime to pay for sex work, but not to be a sex worker.
These sex work laws are among the most restrictive in the Western world. In , New Zealand decriminalized sex work, and a study of the situation found improved working conditions for sex workers who were more willing to report acts of violence and abuse to police.
The court gave the Conservative government one year to come up with new laws. Though the law purported to eliminate sex work altogether, and made references to protecting sex workers from harm, neither has happened.
Sex workers say the laws have made things worse for them because punishing their clients is akin to punishing them.
