We’ve just wrapped up the first leg of our the Red Light Green Light film tour, which took us as far East as Halifax and as far West as Vancouver Island. So far we’ve done 41 screenings, collected 3,249 signatures in support of the Nordic Model (not including petitions some of you are getting filled at home), participated in over a dozen media interviews, and driven a total of 9,264 km!
We wanted to get in a quick tour across the country before the Supreme Court decision makes their decision on the Bedford v. Canada prostitution case. We’ve recently heard that the court will announce their ruling this Friday, December 20.
Whether the court rules in favour of full decriminalization or not, Parliament will have an opportunity to respond to the ruling. Canada will have a window of time to rewrite the laws on prostitution altogether. If there is enough pressure from Canadian citizens, we could – as a country – usher in a preventative approach that criminalizes the purchase of sex while decriminalizing the selling of it. This model, which was first adopted in Sweden, decreases sex trafficking and makes commercial sexual exploitation difficult and unprofitable for traffickers. When coupled with exit programs for those who want to leave prostitution, it is an effective way to target the market and address the vulnerabilities that exist in the industry.
Once Friday’s ruling is announced, we will let you know what you can do to help bring a preventative approach to Canada. In the meantime, there are three things that can be done.
1. Host a Spring Tour Event
Starting in April, we are doing a second sweep through Canada with our film, Red Light Green Light.
If you’d like to host a screening in your community, we’ve listed the dates that we plan to be in each area here. See when we’re in your area and send us a screening request by filling in the form here.
2. Fill a Petition
Many of you have signed petitions to bring the Nordic Model to Canada. We still need loads more signatures, and are looking for petition champions! Download and print yours here, fill it up with signatures, and send it to the address at the bottom of the petition. We will take care of getting it to the right people! Get as many signatures as you can, and don’t worry if the page isn’t full when you send it in. Each signature from a Canadian citizen counts!
3. Check out our Christmas Catalogue
Support our spring tour by selecting an item from the Christmas Catalogue for your family and friends!
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