Thank you, Mr. Chair.
This is a fascinating discussion.
I'd like to preface my questions with the same comments I made at our last meeting. It's important to know that we aren't trying to figure out which lawyer or which research is right. What we are actually trying to do is comply with the essence of the Supreme Court's decision and arrive at the best legislation to protect the life, liberty and security of men and women in the prostitution industry.
After hearing what a number of witnesses had to say, I think we can all agree that there's a problem when it comes to the advertising piece. The government has attempted to criminalize clients rather than prostitutes. But I would say that a consensus exists around the fact that the ban on advertising in public places poses a problem.
I'd like to hear Ms. McDonald's comments on the subject. If the idea is to criminalize only clients, what impact will the advertising ban and the de facto criminalization of sex workers have on the ground?