Government's Response to Sex Trade Ruling Troubling

(Aired on September 29, 2010)

A ruling by the Ontario Superior Court this week is sending shockwaves through the Canadian legal system.  The decision strikes down certain provisions in the laws governing Canada's sex trade.  Most people who work with prostitutes, like the ASK Wellness Centre here in Kamloops, are applauding the ruling, saying it will make that particular line of work much safer.

Having this discussion in the public realm is long-needed.  Strict government regulations have forced the sex trade to a place that is too far underground for its participants to remain safe. 

Troubling, though, is the Canadian government's response.  Immediately after the ruling was announced, the government said it would probably appeal.  Today, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson confirmed that intention.  But the first person to voice the government's displeasure with the court decision was Rona Ambrose.  Ms. Ambrose is the Minister of State for the Status of Women.  For her to be the person that openly opposes a plan to make women safer ostensibly goes against her own job description.  Even if she needs to toe the government line on opposition, she should articulate a message that the government is doing everything possible to keep women safe.  Of course, the government could do that even better by actually changing prostitution laws accordingly.