A high court in Ontario, separated from Michigan by the Detroit River, today struck down a ban on brothels, which a five-judge panel said is unconstitutional because it could endanger prostitutes by not allowing them to work in a safe location.
Prostitution is legal in Canada , though some actions associated with it -- exploitation of sex workers, open solicitation in streets by sex workers, etc. The Montreal Post-Gazette referred to the decision as a "landmark," and said the case likely would prompt similar action in other provinces.
The decision came after three sex workers claimed Canadian law made it impossible for them to take basic safety precautions. The Court of Appeal for Ontario left intact part of the law banning types of communication related to the sex trade, which is intended to keep prostitution mostly out of public view. The ruling allows 12 months for the ban on brothels -- or, in the law's language, "bawdy houses" -- to be removed unless amended by Parliament.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. News Ontario court strikes down ban on brothels Published: Mar. By Troy Reimink treimink mlive. AP Terri-Jean Bedford, center, speaks during a press conference in Toronto on Monday March 26, with Nikki Thomas, left, and Valerie Scott, right, after the Ontario's Court of Appeal struck down a ban on brothels, saying a ban on brothels puts prostitutes at risk and is unconstitutional.
Bedford, a dominatrix, has argued that Canada's sex trade laws force workers from the safety of their homes to face violence on the streets.
