In December of 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down three laws related to prostitution: keep or be found in a common bawdy house, S. 210; living off the avails, S. 212 (1)(j); and, communicating for the purposes of prostitution, S. 213 (1) ©. Canadians and our elected representatives must make decisions in 2014: we could have no laws (decriminalization); rely on existing laws (e.g. sexual assault, human trafficking, pimping); or, create new laws.

In the late eighties, Boyle Street and McCauley residents mobilized when prostitution activity affected our daily lives. We met, walked the streets, and advocated for safety, especially for children. In 1992, the police counted 250 exploited children and 750 women on Edmonton street corners. The Chief declared 1992 “the year of the john.” The City counted traffic around McCauley School, noting 3700 cars in a 24 hour period, when there should only have been 700. The “johns” harassed girls on their way to school, and women waiting for the bus.

In 1995, a McCauley community group wrote to the Federal Minister of Justice, advocating for a new law. We saw the power imbalance between the “demand” and the “supply.” We felt the impact of circling vehicles, discarded condoms, and crime. There were some positive initiatives, but no change to laws. Now, Canada could create a new law and public awareness to decrease the demand that fuels the market. We could invest more in poverty reduction, healing, and social equality.

This could shift cultural norms, like Canada has done with smoking. Are there still people who smoke? Are tobacco corporations still profitable? Yes, but, action was taken to protect people from the effects of second-hand smoke, educate those who smoke about health risks, and increase tobacco cessation programs. Land that once grew tobacco now grows blueberries or other crops. We could live in a country that doesn’t tolerate the exploitation and trafficking of vulnerable persons.

Kate is the Executive Director of CEASE: Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation, and a resident of McCauley.