B.C. john challenges prostitution laws

Kimberly-Shea · October 4, 2008

In today's Ottawa Citizen:

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=ad531d46-656e-4f37-b2f9-13fe73c94c17

Chad Skelton, Canwest News Service

Published: Saturday, October 04, 2008

A B.C. man arrested in a prostitution sting is challenging the constitutionality of Canada's solicitation laws in what's believed to be the first such case brought forward by a john.

The man's lawyer, Ray Chouinard, said no john has ever challenged the law before because most would rather just plead guilty or attend "john school" to avoid attention.

But Mr. Chouinard said his client -- construction foreman Leslie Blais of Maple Ridge, B.C. -- believes prostitution laws put sex workers at risk and isn't willing to back down.

"I told him if you (pursue) this case, you're going to be famous," Mr. Chouinard said. "He said that's fine. He's not embarrassed by this at all."

Mr. Blais, 43, was arrested in May 2006 as he tried to pick up a female RCMP officer posing as a prostitute. He was charged with communicating for the purposes of prostitution.

When his case reached B.C. provincial court, Mr. Chouinard said he planned to challenge the law on the grounds it violates prostitutes' Charter rights by putting them at increased risk of violence.

Mr. Chouinard said Mr. Blais told him he wanted to fight the case because he once worked as a waiter at a restaurant frequented by prostitutes.

"He began to know them as people, and he saw terrible things happen," Mr. Chouinard said. "He's seen women come back from dates beaten and bloodied."

To help buttress his case, Mr. Chouinard asked Simon Fraser University criminologist John Lowman to testify. Mr. Lowman has done extensive research on violence against prostitutes and has already agreed to testify in two similar charter challenges -- one in B.C., the other in Ontario -- in which sex workers are seeking to have the country's prostitution laws struck down.

But Mr. Lowman refused, arguing he couldn't spare the time. He was originally ordered to appear by a provincial judge, but appealed the decision and his appeal has been upheld.

? The Ottawa Citizen 2008

kih · October 4, 2008

Thats a good read. Interesting that

To help buttress his case, Mr. Chouinard asked Simon Fraser University criminologist John Lowman to testify. Mr. Lowman has done extensive research on violence against prostitutes and has already agreed to testify in two similar charter challenges -- one in B.C., the other in Ontario -- in which sex workers are seeking to have the country's prostitution laws struck down.

But Mr. Lowman refused, arguing he couldn't spare the time. He was originally ordered to appear by a provincial judge, but appealed the decision and his appeal has been upheld.

John Lowman couldn't spare the time to appear as an expert witness but had the time to appeal a judicial order. People find or make the time for the important things.