As countries mark the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers on Wednesday, sex workers in Ottawa will use the occasion to condemn the Conservative government’s newly revised prostitution laws that opponents say put women at risk.

Prostitutes of Ottawa/Gatineau Work, Educate, Resist (POWER) will hold an open discussion in Lowertown to discuss Bill C-36, the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, which came into effect on Dec. 6.

The controversial legislation was introduced after the Supreme Court struck down three prostitution-related laws last year.

The new law target johns and pimps and makes the purchase of sex illegal. It also bans the advertising of sexual services and prohibits communication for the purpose of prostitution near playgrounds and schools.

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