Regulating sexually-oriented businesses in Canada

Posted: October 20, 2014 11:35 a.m.

The 2014 Dr. Gordon Wicijowski Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Chair in Police Studies lecture by Dr. Mariana Valverde will examine what local and provincial authorities can do to regulate sexually-oriented business in Canada. Photo: iStock

The proposed new federal prostitution law has attracted a great deal of attention, but few Canadians know much about the alternatives. For example, few know that Australia and New Zealand, though they have very similar criminal codes, have almost completely decriminalized prostitution. Also, it is not widely known that some Canadian cities have long regulated (through licensing) some sex work in the form of escort services.

Dr. Mariana Valverde, FRSC, the presenter of the 2014 Dr. Gordon Wicijowski Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Chair in Police Studies lecture, will review existing laws and policies, focusing mainly on the common-law jurisdictions of Australia and New Zealand. She will also examine existing Canadian municipal business licensing schemes. Valverde will show that some regulatory schemes have proven to be as problematic, for the workers and for authorities, as criminalization. She will explain how Canada is in an excellent position to benefit from what was learned from more than ten years of regulatory experiences in other countries.

Valverde is a professor of Criminology at the Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies at the University of Toronto. Her main research interests are urban law and governance (both current and historical). She has twice won the Law and Society Association’s main book prize and currently serves on the Association’s executive.

The Dr. Gordon Wicijowski Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Chair in Police Studies lecture is sponsored by the Faculty of Arts, through the generous support of the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Chair in Police Studies at the University of Regina.

Beyond the Criminal Law: What local and provincial authorities can do to regulate sexually-oriented business
Thursday, October 23, 2014
5:00 pm
Luther College Auditorium, University of Regina main campus

All are welcome to attend this free lecture, with refreshments available after the presentation. Free parking is available in lots 3 and 17 in stalls marked “M”. Pay parking is available throughout campus at kiosk and meters. For more information visit http://www.uregina.ca/arts/public-lectures/law-foundation.html