Legalizing Sex Work

On March 3rd, the Comité Autonome du Travail du Sexe (CATS) hosted a mobilization to demand the legalization of sex work. Demonstrators were demanding the repeal of the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act which has a harmful impact on the living conditions of sex workers.

Sex workers in Montreal say federal laws put them in danger. 

A sex worker died in Montreal’s Mile End neighbourhood in November. Police are still unsure of the conclusion of the incident, suspecting a murder-suicide, where a man killed himself after killing a sex worker. Other sex workers say this client was known to be violent.

The death of a sex worker is not new in the city, as 22-year-old Marylène Levesque was killed by convicted murder Eustachio Gallese after he was let out on day parole in January 2021.

Sex workers are not only at greater risk of violence, but they don't have access to the same protection, as their work is not decriminalized, so they face barriers seeking support from police.

A study revealed that 1 in 3 sex workers won't go to police, with Indigenous sex workers being twice as likely not to call the police.

The former Harper government passed legislation in 2014, "the 2014 Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act" redefining how sex workers would be treated under Canada's Criminal Code. This responded to a supreme court ruling requesting better protection for sex workers in Canada. 

As a result, sex workers must work in the shadows putting them at greater risk, causing CATS to push for better legislation which will support and keep sex workers safe.