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Bedford v. Canada

Bedford v. Canada was a case challenging the constitutionality of Canada’s prostitution laws. The initial challenge began in 2007 and the final judgment from the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) came down in 2013.

Applicants:

Terri Jean Bedford, Amy Lebovitch, and Valerie Scott – three Ontario sex workers.

Challenged Criminal Code provisions:

  • s. 210 (keeping or being found in a common bawdy house)
  • s. 212(1)(j) (living on the avails of prostitution)
  • s. 213(1)(c) (communicating in public for the purpose of prostitution)

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice

Citation: Bedford v. Canada, 2010 ONSC 4264

In 2007, three former and current sex workers launched a constitutional challenge in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against three provisions of the criminal code relating to sex work. The trial took place in October 2009, over the span of a week. After a year of deliberation, Judge Susan Himel issued her decision to strike down all three provisions in question.

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice

Citation: Canada (Attorney General) v. Bedford, 2012 ONCA 186

The Ontario government appealed Himel’s decision. In June 2011, the Ontario Court of Appeal held a three-day hearing. On March 26, 2012, the Ontario Court of Appeal gave their ruling, which upheld Himel’s judgment on the bawdy house provision, modified her ruling on the provision about living on the avails of prostitution to exclude exploitation, and reversed her decision on the public communication provision.

The Supreme Court of Canada

Citation: Canada (Attorney General) v. Bedford, 2013 SCC 72, [2013] 3 S.C.R. 1101

In June 2012, Bedford went before the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC). On December 20, 2013, the SCC agreed with Himel’s ruling and struck down all three provisions, deeming them unconstitutional for violating the Charter guarantees to life, liberty, and security of the person. The Canadian Parliament was given one year to draft a replacement law that would comply with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. After one year, the three provisions would be declared invalid.

Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations Sex Work Prohibition

Notable Comments from Bedford v. Canada

THE BAWDY-HOUSE PROHIBITION (s. 210)

“The prohibition prevents prostitutes from working in a fixed indoor location, which would be safer than working on the streets or meeting clients at different locations, especially given the current prohibition on hiring drivers or security guards.” (para 64)

“The harms identified by the courts below are grossly disproportionate to the deterrence of community disruption that is the object of the law. Parliament has the power to regulate against nuisances, but not at the cost of the health, safety and lives of prostitutes.” (para 136)

THE LIVING ON THE AVAILS PROHIBITION (s. 212(1)(j))

The purpose of the living on the avails provision was “to target pimps and the parasitic, exploitative conduct in which they engage.” (para 136)

“The law, however, punishes everyone who lives on the avails of prostitution without distinguishing between those who exploit prostitutes (for example, controlling and abusive pimps) and those who could increase the safety and security of prostitutes (for example, legitimate drivers, managers, or bodyguards). It also includes anyone involved in business with a prostitute, such as accountants or receptionists. In these ways, the law includes some conduct that bears no relation to its purpose of preventing the exploitation of prostitutes. The living on the avails provision is consequently overbroad.” (para 142)

THE COMMUNICATION PROHIBITION (s. 213(1)(c))

This “provision’s negative impact on the safety and lives of street prostitutes is a grossly disproportionate response to the possibility of nuisance caused by street prostitution.” (para 159)

The SCC found it unnecessary to consider whether or not this provision violated s. 2(b) of the Charter (the right to freedom of expression), as it was already found to violate s. 7 (the right to security of the person). (para 160)

See a backgrounder on Canada’s prostitution laws.

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