New federal anti-prostitution laws criminalizing the purchase of sex in Canada will be in effect as of Saturday, but the Vancouver Police Department have no plans for a crackdown.

“Sex work involving consenting adults is not an enforcement priority for the VPD,” the police department’s sex-work enforcement guidelines say.

The 2013 document stipulates “alternative measures and assistance must be considered with enforcement a last resort.” This means that although the new anti-prostitution laws allow police to arrest those purchasing sex, the Vancouver Police Department will not be making hasty moves based on the new law.

“Our priority will remain the safety of sex workers,” VPD spokesman Sergeant Randy Fincham said.

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