TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2010 – The Catholic Civil Rights league is pleased to learn that the Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled that the prostitution laws will stay in place until April 2011, pending the appeal in its court. The League was a co-intervenor in the case, with REAL Women of Canada and Christian Legal Fellowship.
The stay prevents Ontario from becoming a center where pimps can operate freely with the police unable to make arrests under the impugned laws, and helps prevent the chaos and harassment of passers-by that could result in the absence of any controls on solicitation or other communication for purpose of prostitution.
With our co-intervenors, the League was never persuaded that prostitutes themselves would be any safer in the absence of the few legal controls that are placed on the industry. Much of the evidence presented in the case, and in our affidavit, suggests that in the few jurisdictions where prostitution is legal, the illegal side of the business tends to continue flourishing.
Prostitution decision sends wrong signal, says League. Press releases, Sept. 29, 2010. Links to court documents included.
Prostitution ruling stayed in Ontario, National Post, Dec. 3, 2010
About CCRL
Catholic Civil Rights League (www.ccrl.ca) assists in creating conditions within which Catholic teachings can be better understood, cooperates with other organizations in defending civil rights in Canada, and opposes defamation and discrimination against Catholics on the basis of their beliefs. CCRL was founded in 1985 as an independent lay organization and has chapters across Canada. The Catholic Civil Rights League is a Canadian non-profit organization entirely supported by the generosity of its members.
For further information: Joanne McGarry, Executive Director, 416-466-8244; joanne.mcgarry@ccrl.ca