Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act
Canadian Parliament Passes New Laws
After 10 years of work by Member of Parliament Joy Smith, and many hours of advocacy by UNANIMA communities, on June 4, 2014 the Canadian Parliament passed Bill C-36, the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, introduced by Justice Minister Peter MacKay in response to a Supreme Court decision (Canada v Bedford).
- For the first time in Canada’s history, the buying of sexual services will be illegal.
- For the first time, prostituted / trafficked women will not be treated as a nuisance but treated with dignity.
- For the first time, the government of Canada will provide robust funding to help women and youth escape prostitution.
