College Students Seek Support in Fighting Outdated Legislation

Bill C-36 Continues to Risk Basic Human Rights for Sex-Workers

Okanagan College students Georgia Kehl, Arshinder Taggar, Emma Deighton, and Kendall Friesen are launching Justice4_BillC36, an informative Instagram page dedicated to the fight against the criminalization of consensual sex work in Canada. 

Bill C-36, which came into effect in 2014, has been denying sex-workers their right to security of a person’s under section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for the past 7 years. The students believe all working Canadians, no matter their profession, deserve access to occupational health and safety standards as well as the ability to unionize and receive workplace benefits. The outdated bill perpetuates stigma and discrimination towards sex workers, reducing their likelihood of seeking out social support or help from the police when needed. By criminalizing the purchasing of sexual services, sex-workers are forced into more dangerous situations, isolating them into back-alley negotiations with less ability to screen their clients. 

It is time for the Liberal government to take action against Bill C-36 and provide all Canadians with protection and security. The students are seeking support through petition signatures to raise awareness and bring this flawed legislation to the forefront of politician’s minds.