Collaborative Proposal Creation
Create, improve and sponsor proposals in a respectful, fully bilingual environment. Grow proposals in the "Hothouse", for promotion to the "Workshop", to become official GPC policy.
Accepted
- Proposal text
- Green Party of Canada: - Recognizes sex work as work, - Supports and advocates the full decriminalization of sex work, including for immigrants, - Promotes sex worker-led and community-based approaches to improve working conditions and assist sex workers who experience violence, - Rejects legislation that conflates sex work with human trafficking, violence and exploitation.
- Type of Proposal
- Public policy that the party would represent
- Objective / Benefit
- Under current criminal laws, sex workers are simultaneously treated as victims and criminals. The “Nordic Model” isolates sex workers, resulting in violence, discrimination, and lack of access to social, legal and health services. For migrant sex workers, this harm is exacerbated by provisions in the IRPR that forbid migrants from working in the sex industry under threat of detainment and deportation. The argument that sex workers are unaffected by criminalization is erroneous; not only are sex workers criminalized for selling sexual services in a public space, but they are impacted by the criminalization of clients and third parties.
- If your proposal replaces an existing policy or policies, which one does it replace?
- This would be considered as an update to G18-P010, as it calls for decriminalization and further explains how the aims G18-P010 (which is vague in details) can be attained.
- List any supporting evidence for your proposal
- (n.d.). Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform – Fighting to uphold sex workers' human rights. https://sexworklawreform.com/ Benoit, C. (n.d.). Understanding Sex Work. University of Victoria. https://www.uvic.ca/research/centres/cisur/projects/active/projects/understanding-sex-work.php Black, D. (2007, March 21). Charter challenge on prostitution filed | The Star. The Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/news/2007/03/21/charter_challenge_on_prostitution_filed.html Butterfly. (2018). Behind the Rescue: How Anti-Trafficking Investigations and Policies Harm Migrant Sex Workers. https://www.butterflysw.org/_files/ugd/5bd754_bbd71c0235c740e3a7d444956d95236b.pdf Butterfly. (2022, August 11). Open Letter on the Newmarket Crisis. Medium. https://medium.com/@butterflycsw/open-letter-on-the-newmarket-crisis-32e159d5a52b Butterfly: Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network. (2020, May 20). .Say no to Bill S-224, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons).
- Does this proposal affect any particular group and what efforts have been made to consult with the group or groups?
- Sex work is made up of many individuals living on the intersections of marginality, including women, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and immigrants. There are many NGOs and social justice advocates, not to mention Global Greens, who advocate full decriminalization of sex work. I have worked with many sex work support organizations in Canada, including the Canadian Alliance of Sex Work Law Reform, Butterfly: Asian and Migrant Sex Worker Support Network, ANSWER Society, and SWAN Vancouver.
- Jurisdiction: Is this proposal under federal jurisdiction?
- Yes
- Please indicate the language the proposal is being submitted in.
- English
This proposal has been accepted because:
69.2% of members voted in favour of adopting this motion in the all-member vote.
Amendments (1)
Amendment
Rejected
Proposal textGreen Party of Canada:- Recognizes sex work as work,- Supports and advocates the...
-
Created at
24/02/2024 -
- 3
We're building a new kind of politics. One that is open, participatory, and people-powered
If you believe in what we're doing, please consider making a small donation to help us build it
Reference: PVC-PROP-2023-08-4123
Version number 3 (of 3) see other versions
Related images
Report inappropriate content
Is this content inappropriate?
Comment details
You are seeing a single comment
View all comments
Conversation with Shel Goldstein
i agree with Nathalie, that without adding prevention measures & education for those considering entering the Sex Trade Industry, and also resources & support for those seeking to leave the Sex Trade Industry,
that this policy does not match Green Party principles,
and would not help us gain votes towards electing MPs. ☔
Shel:
I appreciate your perspective, but could you clarify exactly how this policy does not align with Green Party principles? Additionally, how do you see the addition of prevention measures and education for those considering entering the Sex Trade Industry, along with resources and support for those looking to leave, aligning better with our principles?
It seems to me that there might be an underlying ambivalence about the legitimacy of sex work itself, which could suggest a pseudo-paternalistic view that undermines the autonomy and agency of sex workers. Unless I’m misunderstanding you here… I'd love to hear your thoughts/elaboration on this
Blake, I appreciate you raising this perspective, but I believe your concerns about paternalism in this policy misinterpret its alignment with Green Party principles.
First, while autonomy is a central value for the Green Party, we must recognize that autonomy in decision-making is often constrained by larger social and economic forces. Poverty, lack of access to education, and limited job opportunities frequently push people into the sex trade. Prevention measures and education for those considering entering the industry do not limit their autonomy; rather, they empower individuals by expanding their range of informed choices. The party’s commitment to social justice means addressing systemic inequalities, and offering alternative paths to people before they enter a vulnerable industry aligns perfectly with that vision.
As for providing support and resources for those who wish to leave the sex trade, this is about harm reduction. Many in the sex trade find themselves there not by choice, but by circumstance, and providing an exit strategy shows compassion for those who feel trapped. It’s about respecting people’s right to change their circumstances and offering a safety net for when they need it. This approach directly aligns with the Green Party’s focus on supporting marginalized groups and empowering people to live the lives they want, not the lives they feel forced into.
Your concern about "pseudo-paternalism" seems to conflate the idea of providing support with dictating decisions. The policy doesn’t restrict the choices of sex workers; it enhances their freedom by ensuring they have the information and resources they need to make fully informed decisions. True paternalism would mean taking away their options. This policy is the opposite: it’s about broadening their options.
Additionally, the inclusion of education and prevention is consistent with the Green Party’s broader philosophy on public health and safety. Just as we advocate for preventive measures in environmental or healthcare issues, it makes sense to apply that same approach to the sex trade, which is rife with risks. Educating people about those risks ensures they’re making choices with their eyes wide open. That’s not paternalism; that’s ensuring individuals have the knowledge they need to exercise real autonomy.
Lastly, ambivalence about the legitimacy of sex work doesn’t automatically imply paternalism. It reflects an understanding of the complexities of the industry, where exploitation and empowerment can coexist. The Green Party stands for both autonomy and protecting vulnerable populations, and this policy strikes a balance between the two. It respects the agency of those in the industry while also acknowledging the systemic forces that often limit their choices.
In short, your concerns overlook that prevention, education, and support enhance autonomy by enabling informed choices, key to Green Party values and principles.
I agree with the idea that the legislation should include the addition of prevention measures and education for those considering sex trade as an occupation. The person may feel they have no other choice about how to make a living and they should be given the opportunity to leave the sex trade or learn a different trade, more in line with their true wishes along with the means to do so in their current circumstances. If they are to be further educated, there must be a monetary incentive to take this route so they and their families can survive.
I believe many sex trade workers feel that is their only option.
I believe it to be in line with Green Party Principles that other viable options should be offered.
Could you elaborate on how the inclusion of prevention measures and education better aligns with Green Party principles? Additionally, how do you see the provision of resources and support for those wanting to leave the sex trade or explore other career options as fitting into our values? It seems to me that there might be an implication that sex work is not in fact a legitimate career choice, which could reflect a paternalistic attitude that undermines the personal autonomy and agency of those in the industry. I’d appreciate your insights on this.
Blake, you raise some important questions, but I think it’s essential to clarify how prevention measures, education, and support for those wanting to leave the sex trade align with the Green Party’s principles.
First, prevention measures and education are entirely consistent with the Green Party’s commitment to social justice and equity. Many people don’t enter the sex trade because it’s their preferred career choice, but because of systemic factors like economic instability, lack of education, or social marginalization. By focusing on prevention and education, we aren’t saying sex work isn’t legitimate—we’re addressing the reality that many are driven into it by necessity, not choice. The Green Party aims to ensure that everyone, especially those from vulnerable groups, has access to genuine, informed choices. Providing education and alternatives helps dismantle the socioeconomic barriers that limit autonomy. This isn’t about paternalism; it’s about expanding people’s options, which is a core Green Party value.
Next, when we talk about providing resources and support for those who want to explore other careers, we’re aligning with the Green Party’s belief in empowerment and fairness. This doesn’t imply that sex work is illegitimate; rather, it recognizes that not everyone in the industry is there by choice, and some may want to leave but lack the means to do so. Offering them pathways out isn’t about undermining their agency—it’s about giving them the tools to exercise it. The party’s goal is to ensure that sex workers, like anyone else, have access to the opportunities and resources necessary to pursue the life they truly want. Far from being paternalistic, this is about ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive in a career they choose freely.
It’s also important to acknowledge that recognizing exploitation or economic necessity in sex work doesn’t take away from the agency of those who choose it willingly. But the fact remains that many don’t have the freedom to make that choice due to structural inequalities. Offering exit strategies for those who seek them is about expanding—not constraining—options. The Green Party’s approach focuses on ensuring that no one is forced into any line of work due to a lack of alternatives.
In conclusion, the Green Party’s stance on prevention, education, and support services is entirely consistent with its principles of social justice, equity, and personal empowerment. These policies aren’t about controlling individuals’ choices but about addressing the systemic issues that limit true autonomy.
We should be advocating for policies that ensure sex workers have the same rights, opportunities, and access to resources as everyone else. This approach doesn’t undermine agency—it strengthens it.
Loading comments ...