There is an organized effort to legalize prostitution in the Great White North. Read the whole story at MetroNews in Canada…

Sex trade workers call for decriminalization of their trade
by JON TATTRIE

The head of the Sex Professionals of Canada called for the decriminalization of sex work last night, arguing the current system exposes sex workers to violence.

Valerie Scott, speaking at a packed Stepping Stone meeting at the Italian Cultural Centre in Halifax, said SPOC is launching a constitutional challenge to remove the laws used to prosecute sex workers.

“It is the laws that make prostitution a violent occupation,” Scott said. “I’ve been in sex work for many a year, and it can be a very good job. It need not be in the gutter, it need not be violent.”

Selling sex is a federal matter in Canada and it is legal, but it’s illegal to live off the avails of such work, to solicit for sex work, or to run a “common bawdy house.”

Scott looked to New Zealand and parts of Australia, where sex work has been decriminalized.

“It’s a different world over there,” she said. Sex workers are protected by the police and courts, not prosecuted. She did not advocate legalization, which could lead to a costly licensing system and forced health checks. Decriminalized sex workers would operate like any other small business, including paying taxes.