Senator: Let’s talk about prostitution laws

OTTAWA – A former police chief turned senator says the upper chamber would be an ideal venue for a comprehensive study of Canada’s prostitution laws.

Vern White, formerly Ottawa’s chief of police, says the time is right for a national conversation on how to regulate and legislate around the sex trade.

The Supreme Court of Canada recently struck down Canadian laws that made it illegal to solicit sex on the street, run a brothel or live off the avails of prostitution.

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VIDEO: Striking down federal prostitution laws in Canada

Now a number of voices are advocating for a so-called Nordic model of legislation, which targets those who purchase sex instead of the prostitutes.

Before White left the Ottawa Police Service, he instituted a focus on johns that is similar to the Nordic model.

White says the Nordic model has its strong points, but Canada could come up with its own version after examining all the potential options.