Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. lawsuit asks for removal of sex-work records

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Feb, 2022 04:53 PM
  • B.C. lawsuit asks for removal of sex-work records

VANCOUVER - A proposed class-action lawsuit filed in British Columbia wants the court to order criminal records related to sex work removed from police information systems nine years after Canada's highest court threw out the laws.

The civil suit filed in B.C. Supreme Court says members of the class-action had convictions, charges or police interactions related to sex work before the Supreme Court of Canada struck down key prostitution laws in 2013.

The top court found the laws that criminalized making money from sex work violated constitutional rights to life, liberty and security of the person, while advertising or purchasing sexual services remains illegal.

The lawsuit says plaintiff Susan Davis wanted to volunteer for a community policing foundation in 2020 and the disclosure of sex-work offences through a criminal record check deprived her of "control over when, where and who to tell about her convictions."

The City of Vancouver and its police department say they will file their responses in court, while other defendants, including the B.C. Ministry of Attorney General, the federal Justice Department and the RCMP, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

No statements of defence have yet been filed and none of the allegations have been proven in court.

The notice of claim, filed Wednesday, says criminal record checks are required for many employment and volunteer positions and the disclosure of sex-work records to potential employers, schools and other organizations can have adverse consequences.

The lawsuit asks the court for an order requiring the defendants to permanently delete all such records in their possession and for a declaration that the retention and use of the records infringes on constitutional rights and freedoms.

The suit says one or more of the defendants sent sex-work records to immigration, border and policing authorities in the United States, Australia and the European Union. It asks the court to direct the Canadian government to take appropriate steps to request that the other countries expunge those records.

"Sex-work records constitute private information of a personal and confidential nature, and are not evidence of criminality," the lawsuit says. "There is no lawful authority to keep, maintain, use, access or disseminate sex work records."

 

MORE National ARTICLES

1,187 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

1,187 COVID19 cases for Wednesday
There are 21,974 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 310,533 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 893 COVID-positive individuals are in hospital and 143 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation

1,187 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

Vancouver's beached barge to be disassembled: city

Vancouver's beached barge to be disassembled: city
A barge that had been the subject of jokes and the star of many photos after becoming stuck on a popular Vancouver beach during a severe storm in November is on its way out. The City of Vancouver says a process is underway to remove the grounded barge from English Bay by taking it apart in pieces.    

Vancouver's beached barge to be disassembled: city

B.C. provides $8.3 million to Lytton recovery

B.C. provides $8.3 million to Lytton recovery
Municipal Affairs Minister Josie Osborne says all of village's records and backup servers were lost in last summer's wildfire and the content of many of its bylaws are unknown. The government also announced $8.3 million in funding to support ongoing operations and recovery for the village.

B.C. provides $8.3 million to Lytton recovery

Arson at Guildford apartment building

Arson at Guildford apartment building
Upon attendance, Surrey Fire Service quickly extinguished a fire located in the hallway of the building. Thankfully no injuries were reported, however it appears these fires were intentionally lit.   

Arson at Guildford apartment building

Government moves ahead on replacement for Massey Tunnel

Government moves ahead on replacement for Massey Tunnel
Nine contracts have been awarded for technical and engineering expertise to support the Province’s delivery of the Highway 99 Tunnel Program to replace the Massey Tunnel, which will improve mobility along the corridor between Richmond and Delta.

Government moves ahead on replacement for Massey Tunnel

Governor General tests positive for COVID-19

Governor General tests positive for COVID-19
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says in a statement on Twitter that she tested positive Wednesday morning and is experiencing mild symptoms. Simon says she will continue to self-isolate and take some time to rest in the coming days.

Governor General tests positive for COVID-19