WATCH: The government wants Canadians’ help to re-write Canada’s prostitution laws, after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled them unconstitutional back in December. As Vassy Kapelos reports, the government is racing to get new legislation in place, fearing what might happen in the meantime.
OTTAWA – The federal government is asking Canadians for input on how the country’s prostitution laws will be rewritten.
The Supreme Court struck down laws against street soliciting, living on the avails of prostitution and keeping a brothel in a ruling late last year.
READ MORE: Ontario ‘likely’ won’t pursue charges under struck down prostitution laws
A month-long, online consultation period on the Justice Canada website began yesterday and runs to March 17th. (The online public consultation form can be found here).
Justice Minister Peter MacKay says that doing nothing is not an option.
READ MORE: Prostitution law to be aired before deadline
So, MacKay is asking Canadians to provide input so that the new prostitution laws reflect values across the country.
MORE: Supreme Court prostitution ruling forces new policy front for Harper in 2014
The Supreme Court ruled the laws endangered sex workers and were violations of the constitutional guarantee to life, liberty and security of the person.
It has given the government one year to come up with new legislation before the current Criminal Code provisions lapse.
WATCH: Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay says they are seeking input into the new prostitution laws
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