Deletions
-Proposal textGreen 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 ProposalPublic policy that the party would representObjective / BenefitUnder 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?YesPlease indicate the-language the proposal is being submitted in.English
Additions
- +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.
- +
- +-While it's crucial to support the above-mentioned proposal due to human rights violations, it is
- +equally important to include a proposal advocating for preventive measures and outreach programs to
- +discourage sex work, addressing evident health and social construct concerns. As protecting the
- +individual is of the utmost importance.
- +
- +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
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Conversation with Alison Lam
The rejected amendment is in complete contradiction of the proposal itself, which advocates that sex work is work. If sex work is work, it makes no sense to "advocating for preventive measures and outreach programs to discourage sex work". There are no "preventive measures and outreach programs to discourage" any decriminalized work. No one would institute "preventive measures and outreach programs to discourage" farmers or nannies. This type of "protecting the individual" is cultural colonialism or colonial feminism.
In response to your above argument Alison, it's important to address several key points:
Contradiction in Messaging:
While the amendment may seem contradictory by both recognizing sex work as work and advocating for preventive measures, the intent is to balance harm reduction with long-term societal goals. The aim is to acknowledge the current reality of sex work while striving for a future where fewer individuals feel compelled to enter the industry due to lack of alternatives.
Protecting Vulnerable Populations:
The emphasis on protecting children and future generations from viewing sex work as a primary career option stems from a concern for their well-being. The goal is to provide better educational and economic opportunities so that individuals can make more informed and safer career choices. This is not about stigmatizing sex work but about ensuring that it is not the only option for those in vulnerable situations.
Addressing the Invisible Hand:
The argument that an "invisible hand" keeps sex workers trapped in the industry acknowledges the systemic issues that make it difficult for many to leave. The proposed measures aim to dismantle these barriers by providing support, resources, and opportunities for those who wish to transition out of sex work.
Context of Preventive Measures:
Preventive measures in this context are not about criminalizing or stigmatizing sex work but about offering viable alternatives and support systems. This is different from preventive measures in other decriminalized professions because the societal and economic pressures leading individuals to sex work are often unique and complex.
Cultural Sensitivity:
The comparison to "cultural colonialism or colonial feminism" overlooks the nuanced intent behind the amendment. The goal is not to impose external moral standards but to address specific socioeconomic factors that disproportionately push marginalized individuals into sex work. The focus is on empowerment and providing choices rather than imposing a single cultural narrative.
In conclusion, while it is essential to respect and support the rights and safety of sex workers, it is equally important to work towards a society where sex work is not the only option for those in vulnerable positions. This approach seeks to balance immediate harm reduction with long-term systemic change.
i agree 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.
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