The Justice Committee has recommended parliament repeal two laws: Criminal Code s.213 [Communicating to Provide Sexual Services] and s.286.4 [Advertising Sexual Services]. The Justice Committee has also recommended the repeal of four sections of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations that make migrants working in the sex industry unable to report incidents without fear of deportation. There are 17 recommendations total.
Triple-X submitted a brief which received mention on pg. 31 (pg. 41 of PDF):
"Triple-X Workers' Solidarity Association of B.C.'s brief states that the law does not contemplate sex workers organizing unions or professional associations or the possibility of such organizations collecting membership dues, and providing services such as advertising and promotion of the industry. They call for amendments to clearly permit such organizing by sex workers."
Read more about how the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act violates sex workers' Freedom to Associate: triple-x.org/freedomtoassociate.
10th Annual RED UMBRELLA MARCH For Sex Work Solidarity
Saturday, June 11, 2022, marked the 10th annual Vancouver Red Umbrella March for Sex Work Solidarity. This year, the Red Umbrella March was more important than ever, because the Parliamentary Committee on Justice and Human Rights is set to release its report on Canada's new laws that prohibit the purchase of sexual services (Criminal Code s. 286) before June 23. For more information: triple-x.org/freedomtoassociate
The annual Red Umbrella March is held in Vancouver every second Saturday in June to commemorate the first Red Umbrellas March in Venice, June 8, 2001. Just as the Venice Red Umbrellas March was determined to disrupt the public sphere and draw attention to the historical and geographical social history of sex workers, Vancouver's Red Umbrella March for Sex Work Solidarity strives to draw lines through time and space that show that sex workers are loved and revered in our communities, regardless of perceived stigma and prejudice.
RUM2022 – Video footage by Bill M. Powers, Saturday, June 11, 2022
Our message came through, loud and clear it seems, according to this very supportive reporting in two of B.C.'s mainstream media:
RUM2022 – BC CTV News at 6, Saturday, June 11, 2022
RUM2022 – Early morning Global BC News, Sunday, June 12, 2022
In addition, Vancouver City Hall was lit in red to mark the milestone event. Thank you to Kit at PACE Society and City of Vancouver, and to Louise for riding her bicycle up to City Hall and taking such beautiful photos:
Vancouver City Hall lights up red for RUM 2022. Photo: Louise Boilevin.
As president of Triple-X, I would like to extend our deep thanks and gratitude to our co-sponsors who really pitched this year to create such a successful milestone event: Pivot Legal Society, PACE Society, SWAN Vancouver Society, B.C. Coalition of Experiential Communities (BCCEC) and the B.C. Bad Dates and Aggressors Reporting Project (BCBDAR).
Red Umbrella March for Sex Work Solidarity celebrated its 9th year with a virtual slideshow video commemorating the life of Margo St. James: Hookers' Rights Avant-Garde. (Run-time: 31 minutes)
Red Umbrella March for Sex Work Solidarity celebrated its 8th year with a virtual slideshow video featuring the history of Red Umbrellas marches around the world, and the last 7 years in Vancouver! Soundtrack by Kelsey Lu.
B.C. sex workers' group confronts stigma around STDs, Georgia Straight, July 21, 2020
"I feel this is a direct barrier to legal reforms that would make sex work a legal business – and a direct barrier to a professional association for sex workers," Sorfleet maintained. "The Public Health Agency of Canada needs to endorse decriminalization of prostitution, because occupational health and safety is an important avenue to address STBBI prevention."
B.C. sex workers' association says federal law kills membership drives, Georgia Straight, July 16, 2020
"It means we are prohibited from collecting annual membership dues and we're prohibited from recruiting new members because we would most definitely be counselling and encouraging people to work in the sex industry," Sorfleet said. "So it stands right in the way of sex workers being able to form their own association."
Contact Us
Triple-X Workers' Solidarity Association of B.C.
P.O. Box 3075, Station Terminal
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3X6
