I noticed this article posted by reverdy in the C-36 Sticky and thought there were some good points for discussion.
It'll be fun watching Peter MacKay's spin on this as the weeks and months go by, if no charges are laid.
Has anyone heard about charges being laid against a 'john', anywhere in Canada?
The article:
3:10 pm, February 4th, 2015
DANIEL PROUSSALIDIS & IKE RAI | SUN NEWS NETWORK
http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews...04-151017.html
TORONTO - No charges have been laid against johns in Ontario even though it became a crime to buy sex from a prostitute about two months ago, Sun News Network has learned.
Ontario's Office of the Attorney General says by January 26 of this year, courts had received 14 charges under new Criminal Code provisions dealing with prostitution that came into effect in early December.
Most of those charges are under two new provisions to deal with pimping, but police have also laid four charges for the new crime of advertising the sale of sexual services.
However, none of the charges are connected to the actual "purchase of sexual services" - something the feds made illegal in hopes of reducing the demand for prostitutes.
Asked about the stats from her own officials, Ontario's attorney general seemed caught off-guard.
"Listen, it's not the information that I have," said Madeleine Meilleur. "So, we are going to check on that and we'll come back to you."
Pressed for an answer, Meilleur insisted the law is being enforced in Ontario.
"Of course it's to the police to lay charges," she said. "And we are not directing the police how to do their work. But the law has been passed, and we are applying the new law."
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has said she has "grave concerns" about the new anti-prostitution law, and has asked Meilleur's office to prepare options in case the law is found to be unconstitutional.
Still, Wynne has also said, for now, the law should be enforced as is.
Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay has called the criminalizing of the purchase of sex a key component of a "made in Canada" approach toward fighting prostitution.
Even so, the lack of charges against johns in Canada's most populous province doesn't seem to faze him.
"Whenever a new law comes into effect there may be a lag time," said MacKay in Ottawa. "There may be a bit of a period of adjustment."
The minister also insists Canada's new anti-prostitution law is effective, even before charges have been laid under one of its key provisions.
"Keep in mind this is a whole package of not only one particular law, but it also comes with funding and programming to assist those involved in prostitution in finding an exit strategy," he said. "So it is starting to have an effect and impact."
It's not clear yet if criminal charges against johns have been laid against johns outside of Ontario.
- In 2 months, out of all the appointments booked with SP's, only 14 charges have been laid in Ontario and most of those had to do with pimps.
- 4 charges were laid regarding advertising - I wonder where and why they pressed charges?
- MacKay is actually crediting his exit strategy program for sex workers as the reason so few charges have been laid. :doh:
- I think there's a combination of reasons why no johns have been charged:
- Some clients have retired from the hobby.
- Law enforcement is reluctant to make arrests.
- The AG's are reluctant to pursue charges.
- Many SP's and Agencies sought legal counsel regarding the new laws and made the changes necessary to protect themselves and their clients.
- Many clients educated themselves through reading the info posted on industry forums across the country, are doing more research before booking, and are taking more precautions so as not to break the law, or get caught.
It'll be fun watching Peter MacKay's spin on this as the weeks and months go by, if no charges are laid.
Has anyone heard about charges being laid against a 'john', anywhere in Canada?
The article:
3:10 pm, February 4th, 2015
DANIEL PROUSSALIDIS & IKE RAI | SUN NEWS NETWORK
http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews...04-151017.html
TORONTO - No charges have been laid against johns in Ontario even though it became a crime to buy sex from a prostitute about two months ago, Sun News Network has learned.
Ontario's Office of the Attorney General says by January 26 of this year, courts had received 14 charges under new Criminal Code provisions dealing with prostitution that came into effect in early December.
Most of those charges are under two new provisions to deal with pimping, but police have also laid four charges for the new crime of advertising the sale of sexual services.
However, none of the charges are connected to the actual "purchase of sexual services" - something the feds made illegal in hopes of reducing the demand for prostitutes.
Asked about the stats from her own officials, Ontario's attorney general seemed caught off-guard.
"Listen, it's not the information that I have," said Madeleine Meilleur. "So, we are going to check on that and we'll come back to you."
Pressed for an answer, Meilleur insisted the law is being enforced in Ontario.
"Of course it's to the police to lay charges," she said. "And we are not directing the police how to do their work. But the law has been passed, and we are applying the new law."
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has said she has "grave concerns" about the new anti-prostitution law, and has asked Meilleur's office to prepare options in case the law is found to be unconstitutional.
Still, Wynne has also said, for now, the law should be enforced as is.
Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay has called the criminalizing of the purchase of sex a key component of a "made in Canada" approach toward fighting prostitution.
Even so, the lack of charges against johns in Canada's most populous province doesn't seem to faze him.
"Whenever a new law comes into effect there may be a lag time," said MacKay in Ottawa. "There may be a bit of a period of adjustment."
The minister also insists Canada's new anti-prostitution law is effective, even before charges have been laid under one of its key provisions.
"Keep in mind this is a whole package of not only one particular law, but it also comes with funding and programming to assist those involved in prostitution in finding an exit strategy," he said. "So it is starting to have an effect and impact."
It's not clear yet if criminal charges against johns have been laid against johns outside of Ontario.
