Beyond Decriminalization: Sex-work, Human Rights and a New ...

PIVOT LEGAL SOCIETYPart 2: Municipal Law and Sex Work 32Licensing and sex work 32i. Laws governing municipal powers in B.C. and Alberta 32ii. B.C.’s Local Government Act 33iii. Do the LGA and Community Charter apply in Vancouver? 33iv. Discretion to grant and refuse business licenses in Vancouver 34v. Inspections by the City 35vi. Municipal governance over businesses that provide sexual services in Vancouver, Calgary andEdmonton 36vii. Vancouver’s licensing by-laws 37Vancouver’s business prohibition by-law 38Body rub parlours 38Dating services 39Health enhancement centres 40Social escort service 40Massage parlours and steam baths 41viii. Licensing fees 41Challenging high licensing fees and restrictive by-laws 42Body rub parlour licenses in Vancouver 43Body rub parlour licenses in Edmonton and Calgary 44ix. Views on the “quasi-legal” status of sex industry businesses 45x. Licensing restrictions – criminal record 49xi. Do sex workers want to participate in a licensing system? 49Individual licensing – street workers 50Individual licensing – escorts 51Individual escort licensing in Edmonton 53Business licenses for establishments consisting of more than one sex worker 55xi. Privacy 56xii. Business hours 57xiii. Advertising by-laws 59xiv. By-law enforcement 60xv. Discretion of licensing body 62xvi. Licensing schemes must promote choice 63xvii. Consultation with sex workers 64xviii. Municipal law and sex work recomendations 64Zoning and sex work 65i. Zoning laws 65ii. Vancouver’s zoming by-law 65iii. Regulating zoning districts 67iv. The current situtuation for sex workers 68v. Sex workers views on zoning 69vi. Incorporating sex industry businesses into the existing zoning scheme 70vii. Prostitution as a distinct “use” 71Dedicated prostitution zones 72viii. Home-based sex industry businesses 73ix. Other concerns relating to the issue of zoning 74Safety 74Autonomy 75Privacy 76Sensitivity to children 77x. Zoning and sex work recommendations 77