Saskatchewan’s residents look to Ottawa for federal changes in law

Watch above: Fall session of parliament could have major impact on Saskatchewan

SASKATOON – With lawmakers back on Parliament Hill for the fall session, many in Saskatchewan expect to feel the impact of potential legislation.

At the Lion’s Den, a brothel in Saskatoon’s industrial area, owner Trish Fisher says she will be keeping a close eye on the nation’s capital, as new prostitution laws are being debated.

“I am trying to catch all the news that’s coming out, I am very interested in what’s going on,” said Fisher who added that she worries the proposed crack-down on clientèle could drive the business back underground.

Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay insists the proposed legislation, Bill C-36, will protect sex workers and instead target those who are purchasing.

“To me it’s somewhat like saying, yes you can sell guns, but we’re going to arrest everybody that walks in to purchase a gun, it’s not even logical,” said Fisher, who’s been running the Lion’s Den since 2012.

“You are going to have a whole bunch of purchasers who are going to be criminalized for what is pretty normal human behaviour,” she added.

Another piece of legislation that will likely be discussed this session is Bill C-13, which lawmakers say is intended to crack down on cyberbullying.

“This is simply an update on part of the federal government to the bring the criminal code in line with modern day technology and thinking,” said Brian Trainor, a retired Saskatoon police sergeant who is now a cyberbullying advocate.

The bill would make it illegal to distribute intimate images of a person without their consent. However, not all agree with Trainor as many privacy advocates have raised questions about the law and who would be able to access information.

Political scientist Charles Smith said he believes cyberbullying and prostitution legislation will make noise during the fall session, but there are plenty of economic issues that could impact residents in Saskatchewan.

“I think you’re going to see a lot of things around tax cuts and personal income growth,” said Smith, who is a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and noted that many issues will be impacted by the fact that a federal election is looming.

“The economy is going to be focused centre on their agenda and that’s going to play well in Saskatoon and Regina, it’s also going to play well to their rural base.”