Statement from the Official Opposition on the Canada v. Bedford decision

Official Opposition Justice Critic Françoise Boivin (Gatineau) today issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling striking down some of Canada’s prostitution laws:

“This is an extremely important ruling. Today the Supreme Court unanimously affirmed that Canada’s current prostitution laws are placing vulnerable women in unacceptably dangerous situations.

As New Democrats have long said, we need immediate action to protect the safety and rights of sex workers. The decision by the Supreme Court is clear: everyone in Canada has the right to live free of violence. Rather than an approach that further marginalizes already vulnerable sex workers, we need the government to focus upon working with them in order to build a comprehensive strategy to better protect and support women.

The government now has a year to address the Court’s decision. Ensuring that sex workers are protected from violence must be central to the discussion. We will be looking for the Conservatives to work with us on important related issues, such as income support, education and training, poverty alleviation, housing and treatment for addictions.”