Prostitution In New Brunswick: What's The Law?

In the province of New Brunswick, prostitution is a complex issue. While selling sex has always been legal in Canada, certain activities associated with prostitution were illegal, such as keeping a brothel, living off prostitution, and communicating in public with clients. However, in 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the existing prostitution laws, which experts believed made sex work more dangerous. This ruling has had a positive impact on New Brunswick, and the province now allows the solicitation of sex services in public places as long as it is not within view. Additionally, operating a brothel is permitted, but procuring someone for prostitution is an offence. Moncton, a hub for prostitution in the province, has taken steps to address the issue by opening a centre offering support and safe spaces for sex workers.

Moncton's Street Angels try to get prostitutes off the streets

Moncton, New Brunswick, is regarded as the hub of prostitution in the province, with many people passing through the city as they travel between Halifax and Ontario. In 2016, a group of women in the city took it upon themselves to help prostitutes get off the streets. They started an organisation called the "Street Angels", with the goal of providing support and helping those who wish to leave prostitution.

The group was founded by Amanda Gilliatt-Newman, a former addict with a rough background who once traded her body for drugs. Gilliatt-Newman is joined by Kim Allain, who also has a history of drug addiction and prostitution, and a small group of volunteers. Every week, they walk the streets of Moncton, handing out meal cards, condoms, toiletries, and small gifts to prostitutes.

Gilliatt-Newman stated that their aim is to "wrap their wings" around those who want to leave the dangerous lifestyle behind, emphasising that they do not want anything from the women but instead want to give and show their love. The Street Angels have had some success, with Gilliatt-Newman claiming that they helped two people leave the streets within a two-week period.

In addition to the Street Angels, Moncton has also seen the development of other initiatives aimed at supporting sex workers. One notable example is the Connection Centre, which opened in 2019 as a joint project of several organisations, including the Moncton YWCA and the Salvus Clinic. The centre offers a safe space for sex workers, providing them with hot meals, showers, peer support, trauma counselling, and access to services such as affordable housing and mental health support.

Selling sex has always been legal in Canada, but some activities are illegal

In Canada, the act of selling sex has always been legal. However, several activities related to sex work are illegal.

In 2014, the Canadian Parliament passed laws that made it illegal to purchase or advertise sexual services, as well as to live off the profits of sex work. These laws were passed in response to the Canada (AG) v Bedford ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada, which deemed the laws prohibiting brothels, public communication for prostitution, and living off the profits of prostitution unconstitutional.

The new legislation, known as Bill C-36 or the "Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act", criminalizes the purchase of sexual services and communication in any place for that purpose. It also prohibits businesses from profiting from the prostitution transaction. Those convicted of purchasing sexual services may face up to 5 years in prison and mandatory minimum fines, especially if the offence occurs in a public place near areas frequented by children.

While the new laws criminalize the purchase and facilitation of sexual services, they do not prevent individuals from selling their own sexual services. This means that sex workers can continue to operate independently or cooperatively from fixed indoor locations, hire legitimate bodyguards, and negotiate safer conditions for selling sexual services in public places away from schools, playgrounds, or daycare centres. However, communication for the purpose of selling sexual services in these restricted public areas is a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of 6 months' imprisonment.

The legislation also allows individuals who sell their sexual services to form legitimate family and business relationships, as long as there is no exploitation involved. Additionally, it does not prevent them from accepting gifts or other tokens from their clients.

The Canadian Department of Justice justifies these laws by arguing that they reflect a "paradigm shift" from treating prostitution as a 'nuisance' to addressing it as a form of sexual exploitation. However, sex workers' rights organizations argue that the new laws maintain and entrench harm against sex workers by keeping them criminally liable.

Moncton is the hub of prostitution in New Brunswick

Moncton, New Brunswick, is a hub of prostitution, with many people passing through the city as they travel between Halifax and Ontario. The city's location makes it a convenient stop for those seeking sexual services, contributing to the prevalence of prostitution in the area.

While the sex trade in Moncton is active, it has not been without its challenges and controversies. Residents and businesses in the Dufferin Street and St. George Street area, where street-level sex work is most visible, have expressed concerns about the presence of sex workers and the unwanted traffic they attract. They worry about the impact on their neighbourhood and the safety of those involved.

In recognition of these issues, the City of Moncton has taken steps to address the situation. It has provided funding for a unique initiative called the Connection Centre, a safe space for sex workers offering various support services. This centre, located downtown, is a joint project of several organisations, including the Moncton YWCA, the Salvus Clinic, and the YMCA's ReConnect program. It provides sex workers with meals, showers, peer support, trauma counselling, and assistance in accessing resources such as housing and mental health services.

The Connection Centre is more than just a place of refuge; it represents a shift towards compassion and understanding. Counsellor Charles Leger acknowledged that enforcement alone is not the solution. Instead, he emphasised the importance of giving people a chance to make different choices and addressing the underlying problems that lead to prostitution.

In addition to the Connection Centre, grassroots efforts like the "Street Angels" group, founded by Amanda Gillet-Newman, also aim to help prostitutes in Moncton. These initiatives reflect a growing awareness of the complexities surrounding prostitution and a desire to create safer and more supportive environments for those involved in the sex trade.

The Supreme Court of Canada's ruling on prostitution will have a positive impact

The Supreme Court's ruling will make life safer for sex workers, particularly women, by allowing them to work together in proximity and take steps to protect themselves from risks. The ruling gives Parliament a year to create new laws and decide how to address the complex matter of prostitution.

The decision is expected to have a positive impact in New Brunswick, where Moncton is the hub of prostitution in the province. A new centre, the Connection Centre, will offer support and a safe space for over 70 sex workers in the area. The centre will provide access to services such as affordable housing, mental health, and addiction counselling.

The Supreme Court's ruling will also allow the police to take a more compassionate approach. If sex workers are not bothering anyone, the police will be able to leave them alone. This will help create a more enlightened society, where sex workers are accepted and not judged or stigmatized.

Overall, the Supreme Court of Canada's ruling on prostitution is a positive step towards ensuring the health, safety, and rights of sex workers in New Brunswick and across the country.

A new centre in Moncton will connect individuals in the sex trade with housing and health support

In Canada, selling sex has always been legal, but there are laws prohibiting keeping or being in a brothel, living off the avails of prostitution, and communicating in public with clients for the purposes of prostitution.

In 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada's ruling on prostitution was expected to have a positive impact in New Brunswick, with experts claiming that existing rules made sex work more dangerous.

In 2019, a new centre in Moncton, New Brunswick, called the Connection Centre, opened its doors to support individuals in the sex trade. This centre is unique in the province, offering a safe and non-judgmental space for sex workers, along with practical support and services.

Jenn Fredericks, an outreach worker with the Moncton YWCA and chair of the Sex Workers Action Group in Moncton, has been advocating for a safe space for sex workers in the city. Fredericks knows around 70 sex workers in the area and has expressed that a safe space is their primary need. The Connection Centre will provide a quiet and discreet location for these individuals, offering a hot meal, a shower, and a place to rest.

In addition to meeting basic needs, the centre will also provide access to various services such as affordable housing, mental health support, and addiction counselling. It is funded in part by the City of Moncton, which provided a $50,000 grant, and is a joint project of several organizations, including the Moncton YWCA, the Salvus Clinic, and Crossroads for Women.

The centre will be open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., catering to the schedules of those in the sex trade, who often work late nights and wake up in the afternoon. The precise location of the centre is not publicized to protect the privacy and safety of its intended individuals.

The establishment of the Connection Centre in Moncton is a significant step toward supporting individuals in the sex trade, providing them with a safe haven and the resources they need to make positive changes in their lives. It is a testament to the compassion and understanding that these individuals need, offering a path toward potential new choices and opportunities.

Frequently asked questions