Sex, Liberty, and Security

Presented by Hart House Debates Committee & Social Justice Committee

On Wednesday, January 19^th, at 7:00 pm, the Hart House Debates Committee, Hart House Social Justice Committee, and Free the Slaves U of T, presents a free panel debate on the court challenge Bedford/Lebovitch/Scott vs. Canada concerning recent changes to the laws criminalizing prostitution in Ontario and its implications.

This event is FREE and all are welcome to attend.

On September 28, 2010, Justice Susan Himel, of the Superior Court of Ontario, struck down all three Criminal Code provisions regulating prostitution; communicating for the purposes of prostitution, pimping, and operating a common bawdy house. This decision has been accompanied by much debate and confusion over the rights of sex-workers in Canada.

The event will feature brief presentations from the panelists who will each argue why prostitution should or should not be decriminalized. Following the panel, the audience will have an opportunity to engage in lively dialogue on this issue. The event is free and will take place in the Great Hall at Hart House, located at 7 Hart House Circle, University of Toronto. Refreshments provided.

Featuring:C. Gwendolyn Landolt, Founding member and National Vice President of REAL Women of Canada and intervener in Bedford/Leabovitch/Scott vs. Canada; Mariana Valverde, Professor and Director of the Centre of Criminology at the University of Toronto; Nikki Thomas, Treasurer & Deputy Director of Sex Professionals of Canada; Phil Horgan, President of Catholic Civil Rights League and intervener inBedford/Labovitch/Scott vs.Canada; Stacey Nichols, Solicitor for the applicant Valerie Scott; Detective Wendy Leaver of the Special Victims Unit, Toronto Police Services; Julie Grant, Exec-At-Large of Sex Professionals of Canada