Tory MP apologizes after asking NDP MP if she's considered sex work

'He would never have asked this question to a man': Victoria MP responds to controversial remark

SEXIST MALE CHAUVINIST PIG AND HE LOOKS STUNNED AS WELL

VICTORIA -- Victoria MP Laurel Collins says that it was "shocking and infuriating" when Conservative MP Arnold Viersen asked her if she had ever considered sex work as an occupation during a House of Commons debate Tuesday.

The debate began following a Conservative motion that called for the House to review the parole board nomination process.

The decision in question was the 2019 parole release of Eustachio Gallese, 51, who was serving 15 years in prison for the murder of his wife in 2004. Last week, while on parole, he was arrested for the murder of a 22-year-old sex worker, Marylene Levesque, in Quebec.

During the debate, Collins suggested that it was important to listen to the voices of sex workers when discussing legislation about the industry, especially when it comes to personal safety.

"I was saying that we need to listen to the voices of the people who are impacted by violence and sexism and misogyny," Collins told CTV News Vancouver Island. "When it comes to sex work legislation, we need to listen to the voices of sex workers."

Before making an apology in the House of Commons, Viersen explained that he did not believe "any woman in this country" chose to become a sex worker, and that prostitution was an "inherently dangerous" trade that the government should work to eliminate. 

Former Victoria city councillor Collins says that the language that Viersen used about sex workers goes against the government's goal to create a safe environment for all Canadian women. 

"When people make denigrating comments about sex workers, when they encourage legislation that criminalizes things that create safety for sex workers, this kind of language, these kinds of comments contribute to the violence and the misogyny that exists in our society," she says.

"It was shocking and infuriating to hear the comments made by the member across the way."

Rachel Phillips, executive director of PEERS Victoria, a non-profit resource society for sex workers on the island, also disagrees with the Conservative MP’s views on the industry.

“I feel sorry for him,” she said. “It’s old school and not informed and he is a man making a comment about what it means to be a woman in the sex industry.”

“He should sit down with someone in the sex industry and then he would have a better understanding about what is going on.” 

Soon after the debate, Viersen apologized to Collins. 

"I'd like to apologize unreservedly for my comments towards the member from Victoria," he said.

Collins says that she appreciates the apology and hopes that the recent debate will draw attention to the issue.

"I hope that we don’t see any more of these kinds of comments and I hope that members across party lines will work together to have policies that fight the sexism, misogyny and violence against women that exist," she says. "If there is some small piece that brings attention to this issue then I’m glad people are paying attention."

"He would never have asked this question to a man and we need to do everything in our power to end violence against women."

Tory MP apologizes after asking NDP MP if she's considered sex work

OTTAWA -- Conservative MP Arnold Viersen asked NDP MP Laurel Collins if sex work is an "area of work" she has ever considered during a House of Commons debate on Tuesday.

Viersen later apologized "unreservedly."

The politicians were debating an opposition day motion from the Conservatives, which asked the House to condemn a recent parole board decision.

After serving 15 years for the murder of his wife in 2004, 51-year-old Eustachio Gallese was granted day parole in September, 2019. Last week, while out on parole, Gallese entered a Quebec City hotel where 22-year-old sex worker Marylene Levesque gave massages. Police later arrested and charged him with her murder.

Beyond asking the House to condemn this decision, the motion calls on the government to instruct the public safety committee to conduct hearings into the matter, including a review of the changes made in 2017 to the parole board's nomination processes.

During the debate, Collins asked Viersen to consider listening to the voices of sex workers.

"Sex workers are saying that sex work is work," Collins said.

"I would just respond to that by asking the honourable member across the way if it's [an] area of work that she has considered, and if that is an appropriate-" Viersen replied.

He was cut off by heckling in the House, including voices yelling "shame."

Viersen then explained that he was trying to make the point that he does not believe "any woman in this country" chooses to become a sex worker.

"Prostitution in Canada is inherently dangerous…we do not want to see our women and girls forced into prostitution," Viersen said.

After the exchange, NDP MP Jack Harris rose on a point of order, calling the comments "insulting and unparliamentary" adding that "the sex workers who are in great danger in this country are, in fact, workers."

In response, Viersen clarified his remarks.

"I in no way mean to have any effect on the reputation of the honorable member in question," he said, in reference to Collins.

"What I do want to say is the very fact that I must tread delicately on this means that – makes my point, I think, about the nature of prostitution."

He later rose to say he was sorry to Collins.

"I'd like to apologize unreservedly for my comments towards the member from Victoria," Viersen said.

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