Canada’s new prostitution law won’t change policing priorities in Vancouver

For the first time in Canada’s history, buying sex will be a criminal offence starting December 6 this year.

That’s when the country’s new prostitution law comes into effect, following the passage of legislation introduced by the federal Conservative government.

But as far as the Vancouver Police Department is concerned, there’s not a whole lot that’s going to change in the way it deals with the sale and purchase of sexual services in the city.

“Our officers will still be guided by the principles and policies and procedures outlined in the sex-work-enforcement guidelines that we have,” Const. Brian Montague told the Straight in a phone interview.

The VPD spokesperson was referring to a set of directives adopted by the police force in January 2013 that states: “Sex work involving consenting adults is not an enforcement priority for the VPD.”

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