Welcome to our archives—where the history of our advocacy, voices raised in solidarity, and efforts to protect the rights of sex workers are preserved. Though ANSWER Society is in the process of dissolution, our commitment to supporting the community and sharing the impact of our work remains.

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In this section, you'll find a collection of our key initiatives and resources:

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• City Council Speeches: Read the speeches delivered at Edmonton City Council meetings, in September 2020, where we opposed the shutdown of body rub centers, advocating for the safety and autonomy of workers.

• National Assembly: In May 2023, we hosted a national assembly with the theme “Building community and sharing our stories.” Funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada's Women's Program, this assembly brought together current and retired sex workers from across Canada to focus on the needs and wants of the community. The assembly was open to anyone over 18 who identified as a current or past sex worker or erotic laborer living in Canada.

• Sample Letter to Send Your MP: Use our sample letter to urge your Member of Parliament to support the decriminalization of sex work in Canada. This letter outlines the urgent need for decriminalization to protect sex workers' human rights, reduce harm, and improve public health. It highlights the discrimination sex workers face in areas such as safe working conditions, housing, healthcare access, and employment opportunities for refugees and immigrants. By reaching out to your MP, you can help advocate for policies that ensure safety and equality for all sex workers.

• Repeal PCEPA Letter: Read our letter advocating for the repeal of the Protection for Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA), addressed to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. This letter outlines the historical context of sex work laws in Canada, the harmful impact of PCEPA, and the need for decriminalization and destigmatization. It emphasizes how PCEPA increases risks for sex workers by conflating consensual sex work with trafficking and criminalizing safety measures, particularly affecting marginalized communities, including BIPOC, migrant, and trans sex workers.

• Exotic to Erotic: In January 2024, ANSWER Society submitted a letter to the City of Edmonton, advocating for the replacement of the term "Exotic Dancer" with "Erotic Dancer" in the city's business licensing bylaw. This change was proposed to address concerns about the racialized and culturally insensitive undertones of the term "exotic." Following our advocacy, Edmonton City Council adopted the recommendation in April 2024, marking a significant step forward in promoting inclusivity and cultural sensitivity within the adult entertainment industry.

• Privacy Protection for Adult Service Workers: In March 2023, ANSWER Society submitted a letter to the City of Edmonton advocating for stronger privacy protections for adult service workers. As a result, the City decided that sex workers, as independent contractors, no longer need to provide personal information to the establishments they work for. Instead, they only need to show their City-issued license, which displays their working name, not their real name. This important step ensures greater privacy and safety for workers by preventing data leaks and protecting them from potential harm.

• Annual General Meeting Reports: Explore our AGM reports, which offer a comprehensive reflection on ANSWER Society’s activities, achievements, and challenges over the years. These documents highlight the ongoing need for advocacy and support for sex workers and serve as both a historical record and a call to action for decriminalization and destigmatization efforts.

 

As we look back on our accomplishments, we encourage you to use these resources to continue the fight for justice, dignity, and safety in the sex work industry.