Is prostitution legal in toronto?

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darwin_kepler_edison

Prostitution is totally legal in Canada. However, soliciting for the purposes of prostitution (i.e. asking a prostitute how much he/she charges, and for what) is illegal.

Cherry_Blossom

It is the part solicitation that is illegal.

moglie

Canada practises a hybrid form of criminalization in that although prostitution itself is theoretically legal in Canada, practising it is not. The Criminal Code prohibits all forms of public communication for the purpose of prostitution (s. 213 [5] ), and most forms of indoor prostitution as well: owning, running, transporting or occupying bawdy house (ss. 210 [6] and 211 [7] ), procuring or living on the avails of prostitution (s. 212 [8] ).
Criminal code goes on and on.

JuanB

Canadian laws are across the board, coast to cost. What goes in Toronto goes everywhere. (No "United" States concept.) Prostitution is legal in Canada. But it isn't a free for all.

what is illegal is:

1) Pimping
2) Whore Houses
3) Under Age (18) prostitution - this is the toughest one, and should be. But offer a 17 yr old a beer or a chocolate and imply a trade for sex and you are a criminal.

and the one with a sticky definition

4) Public solicitation - Those that say solicitation is illegal are wrong. Only solicitation IN PUBLIC is illegal. That means if you say how much to a street hooker and you could be arrested. If she says something to you and you stop to talk, etc. Even solicitation is fine, just not public. Some places street girls want to jump in you car right away because of it. Why? Your car isn't "public".

Call girls are legal, but they stay cautious of 1) and 2). You don't have any concern in this category.

Lisa

Wilhelmina and the other Answerers before me are not correct. Very few Americans know this. Any person may contract with another person in Canada to exchange sexual companionship for money or other things of value. In fact the courts will enforce such a contract (as a couple of American football players found out in Toronto a few years ago when they refused to pay a hired hooker the full amount), Such is considered just a basic business contract. This goes for longer term relationships, not just an hour or one time paid encounter. What is not allowed is using a 3rd, commissioned party for setting up the encounter or arrangement - no pimping or madam-run brothels, in other words, and our legal partner-swapping clubs can charge for drinks and have a non-discriminatory cover charge for entry but not for any actual sexual activity time.
Also, street prostitution is treated as an interfering with free flow of traffic or a blocking sidewalk offence.

kent_shakespear

Lisa is correct; as I understand it, the 3rd party rule applies to live-in partners as well, who it can be argued are living off of the deed.

ohhh

Nooo