Red light plan for island

Image supplied by: By Adam Zunder

Toronto City Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti is pushing a controversial plan to generate revenue for the city—regulating and taxing brothels.

Having advocated for the establishment of a red light district in the city in previous years, Mammoliti has expressed renewed interest in the idea, suggesting the Toronto Island as an ideal location.

Mammoliti points to the existence of unregulated sex-trade venues across the city as an unexplored source of revenue for the municipal government.

His ideas come on the heels of an Ontario Superior Court ruling that relaxed prostitution laws late last year—though the ruling is currently pending appeal.

The councillor also included the idea of a sex-trade district in his failed bid for mayor last year.

The benefits of establishing a red light district are clear. By creating a centralized area for sex trade, the city would both help protect sex workers and cut down on criminal activity associated with human trafficking.

The problem isn’t whether or not creating a red light district is a good idea, but instead where it should be located.

It’s hard to picture the residents of any residential area being open to the idea. The Toronto Island community is no exception, and understandably so.

Any newly-created area associated specifically with sex trade will inevitably be the target of stigma. By placing a red light district—regardless of its size—on the Toronto Island, the City would label the island as a whole.

Even if no existing stigma were present, virulent opposition from the Island’s residents would ensure that the image of the project suffered greatly.

The problem isn’t simply that the residents don’t want to live near a red light district, but that the presence of the district might change the atmosphere of the Island itself.

While it’s unlikely that the Toronto Island would suddenly be overrun with criminal activity, it’s also difficult to imagine it continuing to function as a family-friendly tourist site.

Mammoliti has pointed to the existence of a clothing-optional beach as evidence that the island is already less wholesome than some are willing to admit.

Even if one accepts his line of thought, there’s a substantial difference between a nudity-friendly space and a red light district.

While no community is likely to welcome a red light district with open arms, it’s clear that such an area needs to be established away from a residential community—and on solid ground.

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