By Ian Campbell
A recent ruling by an Ontario Court Justice, who struck down laws regarding sex-trade workers, is having an impact here at home.
Prostitution sweeps are up in the air following the judge’s recent ruling to make sure police are compliant.
“We want to take a look at that, but our biggest focus has always been the ‘johns’ “, says Sudbury Police Chief Frank Elsner. “And we’re going to stay with that and not let up on the gas on that.”
Elsner says these are the people that are preying on the women, and he’s hoping for further changes to the legislation.
“If there’s going to be some further changes, make it protect the workers,” he says. “And help us, give us some powers to help capture the people who are preying on these women.”
Meantime he doesn’t buy the reasoning of some who say this will make it easier for those on the streets.
“To suggest that somehow sex-trade workers will be safer because this law was struck down is foolish,” he says. “It may allow for more prostitution to occur and I’m not sure how that’s in anyone’s best interest.”
Meantime the Federal Government has announced that it will appeal the Ontario courts ruling.
It’s feared that this could set precedent across the country.
They will also be asking the Ontario Superior Court to suspend its ruling while the case works its way through the system, a procedure that some say could take years.