Supreme Court strikes down anti-prostitution laws

CTV London: Changes to prostitution laws A London, Ont. woman's advocate is looking to Sweden and Norway as models. Bryan Bicknell reports.

OTTAWA - Canada's highest court has struck down the country's prostitution laws in their entirety in a unanimous 9-0 ruling.

But the Supreme Court of Canada decision also gives Parliament a one-year reprieve to respond with new legislation.

The high court struck down all three prostitution-related laws: against keeping a brothel, living on the avails of prostitution, and street soliciting.

The ruling is a victory for sex workers seeking safer working conditions because it found that the laws violated the charter guarantee to life, liberty and security of the person.

Ontario's Appeal Court previously struck down the ban on brothels on the grounds it exposed women to more danger.

Today's landmark ruling comes 34 years after the Supreme Court last upheld the country's anti-prostitution laws.