Former U.S. president offers advice on prostitution to Canadian lawmakers

OTTAWA – A former U.S. president is urging Canada to go after pimps and buyers of sex when it revises federal prostitution laws.

In a letter to Canadian parliamentarians, Jimmy Carter encourages adoption of the so-called Nordic model, which sanctions those who exploit prostitutes while helping sex workers leave the trade.

Carter's letter, tweeted by Conservative MP Joy Smith, says prostitution is inherently violent, especially towards women and girls who are trapped in the industry and need protection.

The Supreme Court of Canada struck down key elements of Canada's prostitution laws in December, giving Parliament one year to come up with new measures.

Under existing laws, prostitution itself is legal but almost all related activities — including communicating in a public place for the purposes of prostitution — are criminal offences.

The government is poised to release a report on public consultations about how to proceed.