Close X
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
ADVT 
National

Justice minister insists new prostitution bill will protect sex workers

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 09 Sep, 2014 11:37 AM

    Canada's justice minister is insisting that once passed, the Conservative government's new prostitution bill will mean safer conditions for sex workers.

    Peter MacKay testified this morning before a Senate committee studying Bill C-36, the government's response to last year's Supreme Court decision striking down the existing prostitution law.

    Opponents of the new bill say it doesn't address the high court's assertion that the old law violated the rights of sex workers by exposing them to undue risk.

    They say prostitutes will be placed at greater risk under the new law, since prospective clients will face arrest, making transactions more fraught with danger.

    But MacKay says the bill gives sex workers the ability to create better working conditions and immunity from prosecution if they seek help from police.

    Still, he says he expects the courts will scrutinize the new legislation closely and examine individual cases as they arise.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Scientists at Canada's National Lab created, tested the anti-Ebola drug ZMapp

    Scientists at Canada's National Lab created, tested the anti-Ebola drug ZMapp
    The experimental Ebola drug ZMapp was able to save monkeys even when treatment was started five days after the animals were infected, when some were suffering from advanced disease, a new study shows.

    Scientists at Canada's National Lab created, tested the anti-Ebola drug ZMapp

    Privacy commissioner rules Medicentres failed to protect info on stolen laptop

    Privacy commissioner rules Medicentres failed to protect info on stolen laptop
    Alberta's privacy commissioner says a chain of medical clinics failed to protect patients' health information on a laptop that was stolen — and took too long to publicly report the theft.

    Privacy commissioner rules Medicentres failed to protect info on stolen laptop

    Royal Canadian Mint unveils new limited-edition Superman coin collection

    Royal Canadian Mint unveils new limited-edition Superman coin collection
    The Royal Canadian Mint on Friday unveiled four limited-edition Superman coins, reproducing colourful iconic images from DC Comics' book covers.

    Royal Canadian Mint unveils new limited-edition Superman coin collection

    Quebec agrees to proceed with energy strategy at annual premiers meeting

    Quebec agrees to proceed with energy strategy at annual premiers meeting
    Quebec's rookie premier, Philippe Couillard, made his presence felt at his first meeting with Canada's other premiers, agreeing Friday to have his province join in the development of a national energy strategy that had been stalled by a previous separatist government.

    Quebec agrees to proceed with energy strategy at annual premiers meeting

    RCMP say they have footage of B.C. tour bus crash; speed likely not factor

    RCMP say they have footage of B.C. tour bus crash; speed likely not factor
    Video footage from a dashboard camera has allowed investigators in British Columbia to rule out speed as a potential factor in a bus crash on a mountain highway where dozens of tourists were injured as they were returning from a trip to the Rocky Mountains.

    RCMP say they have footage of B.C. tour bus crash; speed likely not factor

    Montreal police to charge 44 people for raucous pension protest inside city hall

    Montreal police to charge 44 people for raucous pension protest inside city hall
    Montreal's police chief says 44 people will face criminal charges in connection with a rowdy pension protest inside city hall earlier this month.

    Montreal police to charge 44 people for raucous pension protest inside city hall