VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- The Vancouver City Council has sanctioned the right of sex-trade businesses to operate from local residences, the Globe and Mail reported Friday.
The 4-3 vote took place after Jamie-Lee Hamilton, a well-known transsexual and advocate for prostitutes, spoke out against excluding sex-oriented businesses from the city bylaw.
Mayor Larry Campbell, who was absent for the vote, said something must be done to protect sex-trade workers, particularly in light of the scores of prostitutes who have gone missing from the poor, downtown east side.
However, Campbell said he personally favors regulated "red light" districts as the best way to do that, rather than permitting residential brothels.
Now, people will be able to run operations such as escort agencies and massage operations from their residences. Employees may be hired, some sales conducted and signs allowed.
Simon Fraser University criminologist John Lowman said legal conflicts are likely, as the federal Criminal Code of Canada supersedes local bylaws.
