Canada’s prostitution laws are being questioned at a landmark case in Kitchener.

Closing arguments are underway by lawyers who say a new federal law that came into play five years ago violates the rights of sex works.

The London case, which was moved to Kitchener this week, surrounds a London couple who ran an escort agency.

Tiffany Harvey and Hamad Anwar were charged in 2015 when London police busted Fantasy World Escorts.

The pair is facing a number of charges:

  • Advertising sexual services
  • Making money from the sex trade
  • Procuring for the sex trade

Several human trafficking charges against them have been dropped.

The couple is challenging the remaining charges, saying they violate a sex worker’s rights to a safe work environment.

As part of closing arguments, the defence says third-party agencies provide safety and security to a woman who is already in a vulnerable work environment.

On Wednesday morning, lawyers argued that Fantasy World advertised a code of conduct. It included things like clients needing to use condoms and act like gentlemen.

It also allowed communications for service to be done at a distance as opposed to on the street or in a public place.

The case is currently being heard but could eventually be bumped up to the Supreme Court of Canada.

The Crown argues that sex work cannot be made safe and says the legislation is constitutional.

Harvey and Anwar have agreed to plead guilty to the current charges if their constitutional challenge is defeated.