TORONTO, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- A ruling against prostitution laws will have dire consequences and must be stayed, the Canadian government argued Monday.
Federal government lawyer Michael Morris told Justice J.A. Rosenberg of the Ontario Court of Appeal in Toronto "irreparable harm" will result if Justice Susan Himel's decision goes into effect Saturday as planned, Postmedia News reported.
Himel ruled in September three laws -- banning operating or working in a brothel, communicating for the purpose of prostitution and living off its proceeds -- endangered prostitutes and violated Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Morris called that decision a "social experiment unprecedented in this country."
He argued that the ruling will increase prostitution, hinder the policing of pimps who exploit prostitutes and set back diversion programs already in place for both sex-trade workers and their patrons.
The government is also appealing Himel's decision, saying one judge should not have the power to change Canadian laws.
Alan Young, the lawyer representing three sex-trade workers who brought the issue, said in response to the government brief that countries that have legalized prostitution have not seen a rise in other crimes.
