Licensing question
- Thread starter PocaHOTass
- Start date
based on the following i dont think too many indy's have a lisence
403-268-5521
Requirements if Self-Employed:
18 years of age or above
Maintain a permanent residence in Calgary
Licensing and police check fees must be paid at the time of application. (fees are non-refundable)
$120 for license
$35 for police check
You will also need to pay for a business license. This includes a fire check of $80 to approve your commercial space.
Statutory declaration form signed by a commissioner of oath (you can get this when you apply)
2 pieces of official ID
Calgary Police Service Security check
You must have an approved (licensed) commercial space; this can not be your home. You will need to apply for two licenses: one as an escort and one for an agency. You are considered an agency even if you are the only one working from that commercial space.
403-268-5521
Requirements if Self-Employed:
18 years of age or above
Maintain a permanent residence in Calgary
Licensing and police check fees must be paid at the time of application. (fees are non-refundable)
$120 for license
$35 for police check
You will also need to pay for a business license. This includes a fire check of $80 to approve your commercial space.
Statutory declaration form signed by a commissioner of oath (you can get this when you apply)
2 pieces of official ID
Calgary Police Service Security check
You must have an approved (licensed) commercial space; this can not be your home. You will need to apply for two licenses: one as an escort and one for an agency. You are considered an agency even if you are the only one working from that commercial space.
I had read and re read the info you provided (which is what I saw on their website) finding it a bit confusing and coming here to ask for clarafication lol
Muchly appreciate your helpfulness though.
It appears the license applies to incall? Even though incall (right now) is against the law, you have to pay for a license? So it fits within bylaw but not the criminal code?
If you do outcall which is not against the law, do you need a license? It mentions a commercial space, for inspection but with Outcall you don't provide a location, the client does.
Muchly appreciate your helpfulness though.
It appears the license applies to incall? Even though incall (right now) is against the law, you have to pay for a license? So it fits within bylaw but not the criminal code?
If you do outcall which is not against the law, do you need a license? It mentions a commercial space, for inspection but with Outcall you don't provide a location, the client does.
Also another confusing point: maintain a permanent residence in Calgary
If your not a resident, then how do you get a license.
If it's against bylaw, how do they fine a non resident when if they can't obtain a license?
Really odd.
If your not a resident, then how do you get a license.
If it's against bylaw, how do they fine a non resident when if they can't obtain a license?
Really odd.
http://shiftcalgary.blogspot.ca/2009/06/escort-licensing.html
Escort Licensing
The law around sex work in Canada can be complicated and confusing. Particularly in Calgary where we have two different types of legalities to be concerned with: City Bylaws and the Criminal Code of Canada. This article will discuss Calgary Bylaws as they relate to indoor escorts. This article is in no way to act a legal document, for further information you can contact the City of Calgary business licenses department at 403-268-5521.
In order to work in Calgary as an escort and be legal with bylaws you must have an escort license, which is distributed by the City of Calgary. There are two ways to obtain a license, as an employee of an escort agency or through self-employment.
Requirements if Employed by an Agency:
18 years of age or older
Maintain a permanent residence in Calgary
Licensing and police check fees must be paid (fees are non-refundable)
$120 for license
$35 for police check
Statutory declaration form signed by a commissioner of oath (you can get this when you apply)
Letter of employment from agency
2 pieces of official ID
Calgary Police Service Security check
If you are already employed by an agency, call 268-5311 to set up an appointment to apply for your license. The office is located on the 3rd floor at 800 Macleod Trail SE. Bring all required documents with you and be prepared to receive and fill out additional forms once there.
Requirements if Self-Employed:
18 years of age or above
Maintain a permanent residence in Calgary
Licensing and police check fees must be paid at the time of application. (fees are non-refundable)
$120 for license
$35 for police check
You will also need to pay for a business license. This includes a fire check of $80 to approve your commercial space.
Statutory declaration form signed by a commissioner of oath (you can get this when you apply)
2 pieces of official ID
Calgary Police Service Security check
You must have an approved (licensed) commercial space; this can not be your home. You will need to apply for two licenses: one as an escort and one for an agency. You are considered an agency even if you are the only one working from that commercial space.
What is a police check?
You will complete a form for the Calgary Police Services. This is a basic background check that will show up any past criminal behavior. Be sure to clear up any warrants before you apply. If you have outstanding warrants you can be taken into custody while you are applying.
There are no set standards about what types of criminal activities can be used to deny a person their license. Even if a person has worked through the Alternative Measures Program they could still be denied. If the police do not recommend you for a license, your application will be denied.
What can I do if my application is denied due to my police check?
All applications can be appealed, free of cost, within 30 days of your denial. To make your appeal you will call the Chief License Inspector (268-5367). They will hear your case, and make a recommendation. If they feel that your charges are past issues and will not interfere with your ability to work, you can be granted you license. In some cases they will approve a license with conditions.
If they do not approve you, you can appeal once again to a higher body. This will cost you more money.
What happens if I get caught working without a license?
Occasionally Bylaw and Vice will work together and will set up dates with escorts. If you are caught working without a license you can be charged with bylaw offences. There may also be charges laid for violating the Canada Criminal Code.
Shift is available to help you through the process of applying for your escort license. We can help you fill out necessary forms and paperwork, accompany you to the licensing office, and develop your appeal if your license is denied. We are here to provide any support you may need throughout the process.
Source:
The City of Calgary Business Licenses retrieved 03/23/09 http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server...olicy/Business+Licences/Business+Licences.htm
Thank you Robert! I guess I wasn't as confused as I originally thought. lol
I'm assuming based off that article, licensing is in regards to incall; which is what I thought but wasn't sure.
All i continue to see when it comes to the prostitution laws.. Is that they are ambiguous..
and that the city has not right to offer or demand a license... other then a business license.. if you have a place of operation... and even that would constitute living off the avails of prostitution.
Police checks.. and what ever to do some thing that you are legally allowed to do .is violating our constitutional rights and freedoms under the Charter of Rights.... typically when you're offering a service requires the use of your own body you have the rights over.
until the laws change and treats all the escorts as workers and employers with all the rights and benefits of any other worker.. then these license requirements are contrary.. and should be unenforceable.
The the fact is the other prostitution in this country is still buy intimidation.. and not by the right of law
and that the city has not right to offer or demand a license... other then a business license.. if you have a place of operation... and even that would constitute living off the avails of prostitution.
Police checks.. and what ever to do some thing that you are legally allowed to do .is violating our constitutional rights and freedoms under the Charter of Rights.... typically when you're offering a service requires the use of your own body you have the rights over.
until the laws change and treats all the escorts as workers and employers with all the rights and benefits of any other worker.. then these license requirements are contrary.. and should be unenforceable.
The the fact is the other prostitution in this country is still buy intimidation.. and not by the right of law
there's an organization in calgary called "SHIFT" . they may be able to tell you how strict licensing is there and whether you should worry abut getting a license...
the "commercial space" thing means an incall cannot be your home so you must secure an "office" which costs money and pay to have it inspected by the fire department. even if you do only outcall, you are still required to maintain the office.
its very expensive and creates a barrier to trying to do legitimate sex work as an indy worker. its like they want to make it as hard as possible...
and the criminal record check - if it comes up with a prostitution related offence, you will be denied your license....so stupid.....
the "commercial space" thing means an incall cannot be your home so you must secure an "office" which costs money and pay to have it inspected by the fire department. even if you do only outcall, you are still required to maintain the office.
its very expensive and creates a barrier to trying to do legitimate sex work as an indy worker. its like they want to make it as hard as possible...
and the criminal record check - if it comes up with a prostitution related offence, you will be denied your license....so stupid.....
Okay, so I am still trying to wrap my head around "today" along with processing the calls I made.
After contacting bylaw; initially assuming I was missing something or wasn't interpretating the info properly; it appears the info is infact incredibly confusing but ironically confirmed multiple issues that I identified are in fact major discrepancies, problematic not to mention unbelievably contradicting.
Once or if my other call is returned by a gentleman who should be able to answer my questions in a bit more detail-I will indeed share my findings.
What I will say without question:
Licensing actually subjects already vulnerable women to more risks and further compounds the barriers that already exist.
I am really, really just disgusted. Honestly and truly.
After contacting bylaw; initially assuming I was missing something or wasn't interpretating the info properly; it appears the info is infact incredibly confusing but ironically confirmed multiple issues that I identified are in fact major discrepancies, problematic not to mention unbelievably contradicting.
Once or if my other call is returned by a gentleman who should be able to answer my questions in a bit more detail-I will indeed share my findings.
What I will say without question:
Licensing actually subjects already vulnerable women to more risks and further compounds the barriers that already exist.
I am really, really just disgusted. Honestly and truly.
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