Prostitution Laws, let your voice be heard

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Daradon

I don't think I've ever been so pissed at a ruling party in Canada. The Liberals sure looked horrible when they 'passed the torch' in early 2000's, but I can't think of them ever so strong arming their base policies through government as much as these Conservatives have. Trying to change the country so much. There's always budget problems. Every party has those. People never agree where it should go, and there's never enough. But it feels like the Conservatives are actively trying to change the culture of the country. :/

"You won't recognize Canada when I'm through with it." - Stephen Harper, 2006

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Daradon

But it feels like the Conservatives are actively trying to change the culture of the country.

This. I actually feel embarrassed when I think of how they've changed our culture from a very progressive (at the time) country to one where we're making fun of America's failed crime policies and at the same time watching our government do everything in their power to send us down the same road.

I still remember like ten years ago, watching SNL and other programs making jokes about how Canada is going to pot because we were one of the first countries to realize that smoking and possessing weed shouldn't be a crime.

Even though we were only going with decriminalization, it was still this massive, progressive step forward at the time, and despite the jokes, many in America were taking notice and saying "haha, our government would never even think of going that route".

Now ten years later our stupid government has become tougher than ever on weed, making sure that there's automatic minimum sentencing for charges, while the US is quickly heading towards legalization across the board.

We had our moment in the early 2000's, but now it will take decades to undo what the conservatives have done. And that's coming from someone who was a 100% conservative backer in the mid 2000's, thinking they were just so much better.

[driveway]

I honestly have no idea how thinking individuals vote Conservative anymore. This prostitution legislation is so, so, so backwards. It's like something you'd expect to have come from Reagan's Administration.

[Ducay]

I didn't really follow the new bill since I assumed it would simply be the "opening up" of the laws that the supreme court was looking for.

To see it is basically the complete opposite is quite shocking, since it'll likely be heading straight to the SCC anyways.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Ducay

I didn't really follow the new bill since I assumed it would simply be the "opening up" of the laws that the supreme court was looking for.

To see it is basically the complete opposite is quite shocking, since it'll likely be heading straight to the SCC anyways.

Not really. This is exactly what I was expecting from The Harper Government.

[prime333]

So when does this Bill become law?

[northcrunk]

I really can't see this bill satifying the supreme court ruling. The laws might just be thrown out because the conservatives couldn't take a real approach that would have solved the issue. I believe they were given a year to come up with an alternative or the laws thrown out.

[Parallex]

Near as I can tell this is the do nothing response. From what I've read this new law effectively does nothing to address the courts findings from the Bedford decision. It's the proverbial lipstick on a pig.

Seems to me like it's a deliberate "kick the can" bit of legislation. Rather then address the constitutionality issues with the old law they've simply chosen to put up new laws with the same issues. It solves nothing, but the conservatives aren't going to be the ones that legalise prostitution (hand forced or not) so they've simply put out legislation that's as equally challangable as the old laws, so now they've "bought" themselves all the time that it will take to pass and give assent to the legislation and all the time that it will take new challanges to work their way through the court system up again to the SCC.

[automaton 3]

The Conservatives had an opportunity to do something good here, and have totally messed it up.

I think it is far worse than doing nothing.

If this bill passes in its current form, it is destined to go back to the SCC and will cost us taxpayers millions. In the meantime, sex workers are forced back underground and undoubtedly some people will be harmed.

I'm really angry about this one. What a mess.

[strombad]

Perhaps the conservatives should focus a little less on Trudeau's haircut, and a little more on the well-being and health of all Canadians.

This is a clear example of why the Conservative party is a joke. It's always about less taxes, less involvement, but when push comes to shove they just waste the tax dollars they do take and involve themselves in only the most negative ways. How about positive involvement? I just don't understand how the legalisation and legitimisation of prostitution is a negative in any circle. Who are they protecting? Who are they benefitting? The conservatives, despite their assertions that government shouldn't be involved in your daily life, seem very happy to tell people what they can't do. How about allowing a legitimate profession to benefit in the same ways others do instead of constantly demonising what they do and furthering the endangerment of their lives?

I personally can't wait for the next election, I always enjoy marking any other box, and I'll especially enjoy it this time.

[nik-]

At this point these guys are so out of touch with the Canadian public when it comes to social issues that you'd almost think it was defiance.

I'm embarrassed

[prime333]

The government says it will spend $20-million to assist sex workers to leave the industry. But does Mr. MacKay seriously think this is going to reduce the number of women selling sex – or improve the lot of those who remain? Are there going to be any social program or is this a one time payment? $20-million will only get you so far in a country as vast as Canada that money will run out very fast.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by prime333

The government says it will spend $20-million to assist sex workers to leave the industry.

... and probably at least that much on TV ads during sporting events to let us know that they are.

$20-million nationally, even if it's year over year and not just one time funding, is practically nothing.

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by Parallex

... and probably at least that much on TV ads during sporting events to let us know that they are.

$20-million nationally, even if it's year over year and not just one time funding, is practically nothing.

For sure, $19 million on ads that say how awsome the conservatives are and how evil the opposition is. $500,000 for mail outs, $500,000 to police forces to buy glow sticks. Problem solved.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by SebC

"You won't recognize Canada when I'm through with it." - Stephen Harper, 2006

See I had read this quote before online from a very left source and I was thinking, bah! Partisan rhetoric. Who knows if it's even true? In honesty, it really doesn't add anything to the debate to trot it out like that, and I generally ignore stuff like that one both sides. Now when I see it I am saddened cause it kinda feels right.

However, a little context would still do wonders. Do you know anything about where it was spoken and why?

[prime333]

Under the bill:
the advertising of others’ sexual services either in print or online will
be a criminal offence. Prostitutes can advertise their own sexual
services

What does this mean? That pimps can't advertise the service of their sex workers? Or does it mean that if your a sex worker working for yourself that you can't advertise online such as backpages or your own website?

[GP_Matt]

There has been a ton of Conservative bashing on this thread, and I don't disagree with it. But I have yet to see anyone showing what the Liberals and NDP are proposing.
Has either party come out with an actual solution that isn't just a negative attack on the Conservatives.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

There has been a ton of Conservative bashing on this thread, and I don't disagree with it. But I have yet to see anyone showing what the Liberals and NDP are proposing.
Has either party come out with an actual solution that isn't just a negative attack on the Conservatives.

In fairness, I don't think anyone expected the Conservatives to go down this path. the Supreme Court just told them that they can't enact legislation that puts prostitutes at risk, so they come back with legislation that puts prostitutes at risk.

Why would the Liberals or NDP come up with a plan to counter the mind-boggling unbelievable?

[GP_Matt]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

In fairness, I don't think anyone expected the Conservatives to go down this path. the Supreme Court just told them that they can't enact legislation that puts prostitutes at risk, so they come back with legislation that puts prostitutes at risk.

Why would the Liberals or NDP come up with a plan to counter the mind-boggling unbelievable?

True, it would be unfair to expect them to have a new plan already, but have they commented at all to suggest what they would prefer? The law has been out for a week so it is plenty of time for them to come up with a constructive response.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Daradon

See I had read this quote before online from a very left source and I was thinking, bah! Partisan rhetoric. Who knows if it's even true? In honesty, it really doesn't add anything to the debate to trot it out like that, and I generally ignore stuff like that one both sides. Now when I see it I am saddened cause it kinda feels right.

However, a little context would still do wonders. Do you know anything about where it was spoken and why?

Not much. Can't even find which particular "US right-wing think tank" he was speaking to.

However, I feel like Harper himself is giving us the context through his actions.