MIGRANT SEX WORKERS: How the new prostitution laws (Bill C-36) will affect you?
In December, 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada decided that several parts of Canada’s Criminal Code about prostitution are unconstitutional because they violate the rights of sex workers by undermining their health and safety. The Supreme Court decided that its ruling would take effect in one year’s time, at which point the unconstitutional parts of the criminal law would no longer be in force.
In response, the federal government introduced Bill C-36. Although the Department of Justice stated that “the Act would introduce tough action to crack down on pimps and johns”, the sex workers, including migrant sex workers, will be affected negatively by the new prostitution law.
The law went into effect on November 6 2014. These are the new laws and information about their impact on you.
New prostitution-related offences:
The law is as follows:
Sex workers who simply sell their own sexual services are not committing a crime. But the police and other authorities may use the prostitution, anti-trafficking and immigration laws for investigation, interception of private communication (such as phone and email) and raids on businesses. Migrant sex workers may still be arrested, prosecuted and deported. Clients who purchase sexual services, or communicate for the purpose of purchasing sexual services, are committing a crime.
We know this can be scary and stressful. It is important to know your rights: you do NOT have to show ID if you are not being detained or arrested. You DO NOT have to talk to police or CBSA (even if they split you up to talk to them). These new laws may offer you some freedom in some cases--but USE YOUR JUDGMENT.
We do not know what enforcement of these laws will look like in practice. Some potential risks to you include:
As well, the federal government has changed laws around so-called trafficking. This means it could be harder for you to come to Canada if you travel if you do not have permanent residency status or citizenship. Talk to an immigration lawyer or clinic before you travel if you don’t have permanent status.
How will migrant sex workers be affected?
Migrant sex workers across the globe struggle to work in healthy and safety environments without threat of arrest, imprisonment or deportation. Migrant sex workers may choose to work with third parties as they have greater difficulties working independently. This is because of their legal status, language barrier, discrimination and lack of financial resources and information etc.
Under Bill C36, migrant sex workers will likely find it difficult to work as the clients will be criminalized, the venue owners or operators (eg massage parlour owners and managers) may be charged, and the sex workers and businesses may not able to place advertisements.
Migrant sex workers may also become more isolated and underground as they face barriers to working with the assistance of third parties or advertising, and continue to be at risk of prosecution under the new communication law.
Respect migrant sex workers rights
We believe that the human rights of migrant sex workers should be respected. Migrant sex workers--and all migrant workers--should be free from any kind of discrimination, criminalization, oppression and violence. We honour the freedom for people to move and the freedom for people to choose dignified work and lives. Sex work is work! Migrant rights are workers rights! No one is illegal!
Look out for each other while working and join us! It was because we came together that we won at the Supreme Court--if we want to be safe and work we need each other. Contact us here:
WeAreStrut@gmail.com (English)
cswbutterfly@gmail.com, 416-906-3098 (Cantonese, Mandarin)
nooneisillegal@riseup.net (English, French, Spanish, Urdu)
Produced by STRUT, Butterfly, No One Is Illegal-Toronto
Updated October 2014
Technical information in this document is based on information contained in Reckless Endangerment – Q&A on Bill C-36: Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act as well as Mac Scott, immigration consultant at Carranza LLP and NOII Toronto. We thank the authors for their contribution.
In response, the federal government introduced Bill C-36. Although the Department of Justice stated that “the Act would introduce tough action to crack down on pimps and johns”, the sex workers, including migrant sex workers, will be affected negatively by the new prostitution law.
The law went into effect on November 6 2014. These are the new laws and information about their impact on you.
New prostitution-related offences:
- Purchasing sexual services –- Clients of sexual services are criminalized. The new law prohibits clients from purchasing sexual services and from communicating in any place for that purpose.
- Receiving a financial or material benefit and procuring – Third parties who work in the sex industry remain criminalized and could be charged for “receiving a material benefit” and/or “procuring”. This provision is very complicated, which makes it difficult to say exactly who would be at risk of prosecution and who would not.
- Advertising the sale of sexual services - While sex workers could not be prosecuted for advertising their own sexual services, any other party that carries a sex worker’s advertisement (e.g. a newspaper, website or internet service provider) commits a crime. Courts would have the power to authorize the seizure of such advertisements, to order their removal from the Internet, and to require the provision of information that would identify and locate the person who posted it.
- Communicating for the purpose of selling sexual services - Any sex worker commits a crime by communicating for the purpose of selling sexual services in a public place that is, or is next to, a school ground, playground or daycare center.
The law is as follows:
Sex workers who simply sell their own sexual services are not committing a crime. But the police and other authorities may use the prostitution, anti-trafficking and immigration laws for investigation, interception of private communication (such as phone and email) and raids on businesses. Migrant sex workers may still be arrested, prosecuted and deported. Clients who purchase sexual services, or communicate for the purpose of purchasing sexual services, are committing a crime.
We know this can be scary and stressful. It is important to know your rights: you do NOT have to show ID if you are not being detained or arrested. You DO NOT have to talk to police or CBSA (even if they split you up to talk to them). These new laws may offer you some freedom in some cases--but USE YOUR JUDGMENT.
We do not know what enforcement of these laws will look like in practice. Some potential risks to you include:
- Increased police interference in your work, whether you work for yourself, a manager or on the street
- If you work for a third party, your employer may stop advertising, move locations or shut down entirely
- Though you may not face prostitution charges, police sweeps and raids targeting clients could bring you into contact with police and could reveal your immigration status.
- If you have no status, you could be removed from Canada just by being stopped by the police.
- If you have temporary status (study permit, work permit, visitor or permit holder) you could be removed if you are convicted of a crime and may face immigration related charges.
- If you are a permanent resident, you could lose your status if you are convicted of a crime with a maximum penalty of ten years (it doesn’t matter what penalty you are sentenced to).
- Immigration officials can enter your workplace and arrest you with or without a warrant, depending on your status in Canada. A warrant is a document from a judge which allows for your arrest.
- If you are a permanent resident or a protected person – someone who has been found to be a Convention Refugee or has been granted a positive decision on a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) – immigration authorities can only arrest you and detain you if they have a warrant.
- If you do not have status in Canada, or if you are in Canada on some type of temporary permit, you may be arrested and detained with no warrant.” (Source:Sex Work & Immigration Rights by Pivot Legal and the ORCHID Project)
- In any case, play it safe, if the police charge you with something, contact an immigration lawyer, not just a criminal lawyer - the criminal lawyer may not know the immigration consequences - especially before taking a plea.
- Your business location may be subject to police or immigration investigations and raids
- If you work independently, you may have fewer clients. This may be permanent or temporary as the sex industry shifts to adjust to the new laws
- Your clients may be reluctant to give any screening information about themselves, including their name and phone number
- If you work on the street, you may already be facing increased police sweeps, ID checks, arrest. Police may be pushing you into areas of the city where you have not worked before
- The police can tell Citizenship and Immigration Canada if they believe you are unlawfully in Canada. They may ask you questions regarding your immigration status. You have the right to remain silent and should do so. Ask to speak to a lawyer right away. (Source:Sex Work & Immigration Rights by Pivot Legal and the ORCHID Project)
As well, the federal government has changed laws around so-called trafficking. This means it could be harder for you to come to Canada if you travel if you do not have permanent residency status or citizenship. Talk to an immigration lawyer or clinic before you travel if you don’t have permanent status.
How will migrant sex workers be affected?
Migrant sex workers across the globe struggle to work in healthy and safety environments without threat of arrest, imprisonment or deportation. Migrant sex workers may choose to work with third parties as they have greater difficulties working independently. This is because of their legal status, language barrier, discrimination and lack of financial resources and information etc.
Under Bill C36, migrant sex workers will likely find it difficult to work as the clients will be criminalized, the venue owners or operators (eg massage parlour owners and managers) may be charged, and the sex workers and businesses may not able to place advertisements.
Migrant sex workers may also become more isolated and underground as they face barriers to working with the assistance of third parties or advertising, and continue to be at risk of prosecution under the new communication law.
Respect migrant sex workers rights
We believe that the human rights of migrant sex workers should be respected. Migrant sex workers--and all migrant workers--should be free from any kind of discrimination, criminalization, oppression and violence. We honour the freedom for people to move and the freedom for people to choose dignified work and lives. Sex work is work! Migrant rights are workers rights! No one is illegal!
Look out for each other while working and join us! It was because we came together that we won at the Supreme Court--if we want to be safe and work we need each other. Contact us here:
WeAreStrut@gmail.com (English)
cswbutterfly@gmail.com, 416-906-3098 (Cantonese, Mandarin)
nooneisillegal@riseup.net (English, French, Spanish, Urdu)
Produced by STRUT, Butterfly, No One Is Illegal-Toronto
Updated October 2014
Technical information in this document is based on information contained in Reckless Endangerment – Q&A on Bill C-36: Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act as well as Mac Scott, immigration consultant at Carranza LLP and NOII Toronto. We thank the authors for their contribution.
致外来的性工作者：新娼妓法（C-36号法案）将会对你有什么影响？
致外来的性工作者：新娼妓法（C-36号法案）将会对你有什么影响？
加拿大最高法院于2013年12月裁定数条与卖淫相关的刑法违宪， 认为这些法例削弱了性工作者
的健康与安全保障，有违人权及宪章权利。 最高法院给予政府一年时间制定新法， 以取代违宪
部分。
联邦政府提出C-36号法案， 回应最高法院的裁决。 尽管司法部表示“该法案将打击嫖客和皮条
客”， 但这个新娼妓法会对性工作者， 包括外来的性工作者，产生负面影响。
新娼妓法于2014年11月6日生效。 以下是新法内容以及对你的影响。
新法案下被视为涉及卖淫的违法犯罪行为：
购买性服务 – 嫖妓列为刑事罪行。 新法禁止嫖妓， 禁止在任何场所谈论购买性服务事宜。
获得财务或物质利益 – 卖淫行业中的第三方仍然列为刑事罪行，可以被起诉“获得物质利益”
及/或“介绍性服务” 。这一法规非常复杂， 很难说清究竟哪一方有被起诉的风险 哪一方没有
。
刊登卖淫广告 – 虽然性工作者不会由于宣传自身的性服务而被起诉， 但是任何提供性服务广告
的他人（比如报章、 网址或网上服务商）列为刑事犯罪。法庭可以颁令查封这些广告， 下令网
上禁登， 以及要求提供可以确认刊登者的身份地址的信息。
以兜售性服务为目的的交流 – 任何性工作者在公共场合如学校、游乐场或日托中心， 或在以上
地点的附近 兜售性服务，列为刑事罪行。
新法如下：
性工作者如果只是提供自身的性服务并不犯法。 但是警方和其他主管机构可以运用娼妓法， 反
贩卖人口法以及移民法来进行调查、拦截私人通讯（比如电话电邮）及扫黄行动。 外来的性工作
者仍有可能被拘捕 被起诉以及被递解出境。 客人购买性服务，或以购买性服务为目的的交流，
为犯罪行为。
我们知道这些情况可以是令人恐慌紧张的。重要的是了解你的权利：如果你不是将被扣留或拘捕
， 你无需一定要展示你的身份证件。 你也无需一定要跟警方或加拿大入境处/移民局
CBSA（Canada Border Services Agency）说话（即使对方将你们拆开进行问话）。这些新
法也许在某些情况下给与你一些自由- 但是切记要有自己的判断。
我们还不知道在实际中这些法例的实施情况将会如何。 下面是一些对你的潜在风险：
警方会加强对你工作的干涉， 不论你是自己开业或是有 经理安排， 或是在街头工作。
如果你为第三方工作， 你的雇主可能停止广告、搬迁地方或是完全停止营业。
虽然你可能不会被起诉卖淫，警方针对嫖客的扫黄或打击行动可能会导致你与警方的接触， 从而
可能会泄露你的移民身份。
如果你没有身份， 可能会由于被警方拦问到而被遣返。
如果你是临时身份（学生许可， 工作许可，访问许可或是其他许可持有者）， 如果被判犯罪，
可能会被遣返， 也可能会面对与移民有关的起诉。
如果你是永久居民， 一旦触犯刑法里最高可判十年的罪行（不论是何罪），你可能会丧失永久居
民身份。
移民局官员可以进入你的工作场所拘捕你， 是否需要拘捕证则视你在加拿大的身份而定。拘捕令
是由法官发出的准许拘捕你的一份文件。
如果你是永久居民或受保护人士 – 国际人道难民或递解前风险评估（PRRA）为肯定决定的人士
– 移民当局只能在有拘捕令的前提下才能拘捕及扣押你。
如果你在加拿大没有身份，或者你在加拿大的逗留时基于某种暂时许可， 在没有拘捕令的情况下
， 你也可能被拘捕及扣押（来源：Sex Work & Immigration Rights by Pivot Legal and the
ORCHID Project）。
在任何情况下都要 谨慎行事， 如果警方就某事起诉你， 一定要联络移民律师， 而不只是联络
刑事律师 –特别是在认罪之前就要这么做 - 刑事律师可能并不知道对移民方面的后果 。
你的生意地点可能会受到警方及移民当局的调查及突然搜查。
如果你是独立工作， 你的客源可能会减少。 这样的情况可能会是长期的也可能是暂时的， 取决
于性行业为适应新法所作的改变。
你的客人可能不愿意提供任何可以鉴别他们身份的资料， 包括他们的姓名及电话号码。
如果你是在街头工作， 你可能已经面对警方增强了的扫黄行动、身份证件检查及拘捕。 警方的
行动可能推使你去到之前未曾工作过的街区。
(Source:Sex Work & Immigration Rights by Pivot Legal and the ORCHID Project)
如果警方认为你在加拿大有不法行为， 警方可以告知加拿大公民及移民局。 当局可以就你的移
民身份进行盘问。 你有权保持沉默，你亦应该这么做。 你可以要求立刻联络律师（来源：Sex
Work & Immigration Rights by Pivot Legal and the ORCHID Project）。
还有，联邦政府已经修改了所谓的人口贩卖方面的法律。 这意味着如果你旅行时没有加拿大永久
居民或公民身份， 你就更难进入加拿大。 如果你没有永久身份， 出行前请找律师或服务处咨询
有关情况。
外来的性工作者会受到怎样的影响？
全球的外来性工作者竭力争取在免于被拘捕、监禁或递解出境的健康与安全的环境中工作。如果
独立工作的困难比较大，外来性工作者可能会选择与第三方合作。 这是由于 外来性工作者要面
对法律身份、语言障碍、受到的歧视以及缺乏资金来源及相关信息等诸多问题。
在C-36法案下， 外来性工作者将会发现难以找到工作， 因为新法将客人刑事化， 工作场所的
拥有者或经营者（比如按摩院东主及经纪人）可以面临被起诉， 性工作者及性行业也
再可以刊登广告。外来性工作者可能会变得更加孤立无援及被迫转入地下经营，因为要得到第三
方的辅助及广告宣传都障碍重重。 在新法禁止兜售的条例下， 外来性工作者持续面对被起诉的
风险。
尊重外来的性工作者的权利
我们相信外来性工作者的人权应该受到尊重。 外来的性工作者 - 以及所有外来的工作者 – 应
该免于任何形式的歧视、刑事化、压迫以及暴力。 我们尊重民众迁移的自由，尊重民众选择有尊
严的工作及生活方式的自由。 性工作是工作！外来的工作者的权利与所有工作者的权利相同！
没人违法！
请加入我们守望相助！我们之前能在最高法院获胜就是因为我们团结一致 – 我们需要彼此依靠
才能得到安全和工作。 请按以下电邮或电话联系我们：
WeAreStrut@gmail.com (English)
cswbutterfly@gmail.com, 416-906-3098 (Cantonese广东话, Mandarin 普通话)
nooneisillegal@riseup.net (English, French, Spanish, Urdu)
制作方：STRUT, Butterfly, No One Is Illegal-Toronto
2014年10月更新
本文的技术信息来自于Reckless Endangerment内的信息 – 关于C-36法案的问答：社区及受剥
削人士保护法，以及Mac Scott，移民顾问，Carranza LLP and NOII Toronto。 我们感谢这些作
者们的支持。
加拿大最高法院于2013年12月裁定数条与卖淫相关的刑法违宪， 认为这些法例削弱了性工作者
的健康与安全保障，有违人权及宪章权利。 最高法院给予政府一年时间制定新法， 以取代违宪
部分。
联邦政府提出C-36号法案， 回应最高法院的裁决。 尽管司法部表示“该法案将打击嫖客和皮条
客”， 但这个新娼妓法会对性工作者， 包括外来的性工作者，产生负面影响。
新娼妓法于2014年11月6日生效。 以下是新法内容以及对你的影响。
新法案下被视为涉及卖淫的违法犯罪行为：
购买性服务 – 嫖妓列为刑事罪行。 新法禁止嫖妓， 禁止在任何场所谈论购买性服务事宜。
获得财务或物质利益 – 卖淫行业中的第三方仍然列为刑事罪行，可以被起诉“获得物质利益”
及/或“介绍性服务” 。这一法规非常复杂， 很难说清究竟哪一方有被起诉的风险 哪一方没有
。
刊登卖淫广告 – 虽然性工作者不会由于宣传自身的性服务而被起诉， 但是任何提供性服务广告
的他人（比如报章、 网址或网上服务商）列为刑事犯罪。法庭可以颁令查封这些广告， 下令网
上禁登， 以及要求提供可以确认刊登者的身份地址的信息。
以兜售性服务为目的的交流 – 任何性工作者在公共场合如学校、游乐场或日托中心， 或在以上
地点的附近 兜售性服务，列为刑事罪行。
新法如下：
性工作者如果只是提供自身的性服务并不犯法。 但是警方和其他主管机构可以运用娼妓法， 反
贩卖人口法以及移民法来进行调查、拦截私人通讯（比如电话电邮）及扫黄行动。 外来的性工作
者仍有可能被拘捕 被起诉以及被递解出境。 客人购买性服务，或以购买性服务为目的的交流，
为犯罪行为。
我们知道这些情况可以是令人恐慌紧张的。重要的是了解你的权利：如果你不是将被扣留或拘捕
， 你无需一定要展示你的身份证件。 你也无需一定要跟警方或加拿大入境处/移民局
CBSA（Canada Border Services Agency）说话（即使对方将你们拆开进行问话）。这些新
法也许在某些情况下给与你一些自由- 但是切记要有自己的判断。
我们还不知道在实际中这些法例的实施情况将会如何。 下面是一些对你的潜在风险：
警方会加强对你工作的干涉， 不论你是自己开业或是有 经理安排， 或是在街头工作。
如果你为第三方工作， 你的雇主可能停止广告、搬迁地方或是完全停止营业。
虽然你可能不会被起诉卖淫，警方针对嫖客的扫黄或打击行动可能会导致你与警方的接触， 从而
可能会泄露你的移民身份。
如果你没有身份， 可能会由于被警方拦问到而被遣返。
如果你是临时身份（学生许可， 工作许可，访问许可或是其他许可持有者）， 如果被判犯罪，
可能会被遣返， 也可能会面对与移民有关的起诉。
如果你是永久居民， 一旦触犯刑法里最高可判十年的罪行（不论是何罪），你可能会丧失永久居
民身份。
移民局官员可以进入你的工作场所拘捕你， 是否需要拘捕证则视你在加拿大的身份而定。拘捕令
是由法官发出的准许拘捕你的一份文件。
如果你是永久居民或受保护人士 – 国际人道难民或递解前风险评估（PRRA）为肯定决定的人士
– 移民当局只能在有拘捕令的前提下才能拘捕及扣押你。
如果你在加拿大没有身份，或者你在加拿大的逗留时基于某种暂时许可， 在没有拘捕令的情况下
， 你也可能被拘捕及扣押（来源：Sex Work & Immigration Rights by Pivot Legal and the
ORCHID Project）。
在任何情况下都要 谨慎行事， 如果警方就某事起诉你， 一定要联络移民律师， 而不只是联络
刑事律师 –特别是在认罪之前就要这么做 - 刑事律师可能并不知道对移民方面的后果 。
你的生意地点可能会受到警方及移民当局的调查及突然搜查。
如果你是独立工作， 你的客源可能会减少。 这样的情况可能会是长期的也可能是暂时的， 取决
于性行业为适应新法所作的改变。
你的客人可能不愿意提供任何可以鉴别他们身份的资料， 包括他们的姓名及电话号码。
如果你是在街头工作， 你可能已经面对警方增强了的扫黄行动、身份证件检查及拘捕。 警方的
行动可能推使你去到之前未曾工作过的街区。
(Source:Sex Work & Immigration Rights by Pivot Legal and the ORCHID Project)
如果警方认为你在加拿大有不法行为， 警方可以告知加拿大公民及移民局。 当局可以就你的移
民身份进行盘问。 你有权保持沉默，你亦应该这么做。 你可以要求立刻联络律师（来源：Sex
Work & Immigration Rights by Pivot Legal and the ORCHID Project）。
还有，联邦政府已经修改了所谓的人口贩卖方面的法律。 这意味着如果你旅行时没有加拿大永久
居民或公民身份， 你就更难进入加拿大。 如果你没有永久身份， 出行前请找律师或服务处咨询
有关情况。
外来的性工作者会受到怎样的影响？
全球的外来性工作者竭力争取在免于被拘捕、监禁或递解出境的健康与安全的环境中工作。如果
独立工作的困难比较大，外来性工作者可能会选择与第三方合作。 这是由于 外来性工作者要面
对法律身份、语言障碍、受到的歧视以及缺乏资金来源及相关信息等诸多问题。
在C-36法案下， 外来性工作者将会发现难以找到工作， 因为新法将客人刑事化， 工作场所的
拥有者或经营者（比如按摩院东主及经纪人）可以面临被起诉， 性工作者及性行业也
再可以刊登广告。外来性工作者可能会变得更加孤立无援及被迫转入地下经营，因为要得到第三
方的辅助及广告宣传都障碍重重。 在新法禁止兜售的条例下， 外来性工作者持续面对被起诉的
风险。
尊重外来的性工作者的权利
我们相信外来性工作者的人权应该受到尊重。 外来的性工作者 - 以及所有外来的工作者 – 应
该免于任何形式的歧视、刑事化、压迫以及暴力。 我们尊重民众迁移的自由，尊重民众选择有尊
严的工作及生活方式的自由。 性工作是工作！外来的工作者的权利与所有工作者的权利相同！
没人违法！
请加入我们守望相助！我们之前能在最高法院获胜就是因为我们团结一致 – 我们需要彼此依靠
才能得到安全和工作。 请按以下电邮或电话联系我们：
WeAreStrut@gmail.com (English)
cswbutterfly@gmail.com, 416-906-3098 (Cantonese广东话, Mandarin 普通话)
nooneisillegal@riseup.net (English, French, Spanish, Urdu)
制作方：STRUT, Butterfly, No One Is Illegal-Toronto
2014年10月更新
本文的技术信息来自于Reckless Endangerment内的信息 – 关于C-36法案的问答：社区及受剥
削人士保护法，以及Mac Scott，移民顾问，Carranza LLP and NOII Toronto。 我们感谢这些作
者们的支持。