Okay.
Prostitution is a form of violence against women and women should not be penalized for their own exploitation. Rather, those perpetrating and benefiting from it should be criminalized.
Just briefly, we're concerned about the loophole in Bill C-36 that the new section 213, where women can be criminalized. We found that involvement in the criminal justice system is a really significant barrier for women exiting prostitution and for seeking help. It stigmatizes them and, more importantly, it acts as a barrier to their finding employment, and it disrupts their lives and their families' lives, including those of their children. Here I'll refer to Peter MacKay's hierarchy of vulnerability, that children are more vulnerable than prostituted women.
In summary, Bill C-36 is a progressive, historic piece of legislation that finally dares to criminalize the source of harm in prostitution—the johns—and decriminalizes those being exploited. We're in support of Bill C-36, but recommend that the new section 213 be removed from the bill.
Thank you.