This is good news:

Ontario’s top court has legalized brothels and will allow prostitutes to have security and other staff that is specifically aimed at protecting prostitutes. In a landmark decision Monday, the court said that prostitution is extremely dangerous work where inherent risks are multiplied by laws preventing prostitutes from working together under one roof or hiring security staff.

Commencing next year, a five-judge panel said unanimously, prostitutes in any part of the province can work legally in brothels that will be operated like ordinary businesses. As of April 25, they can engage bodyguards or security staff.

Sex work is dangerous. Inherently so, as the court recognized. But there are other jobs that are inherently dangerous—fireman, stunt person, soldier. And criminalizing sex work because it's dangerous doesn't stop people from buying or selling sex. It just makes sex work more dangerous. A sex worker that has been abused by a client, or is being exploited by a pimp, can't exactly go to the police. More from the G&M:

The decision was hailed as a historic victory by the litigants. “It’s so nice to feel that we have been brought into society,” said Valerie Scott, legal coordinator of Sex Professionals of Canada. “I feel like a debutante. I feel like a citizen.”

Nikki Thomas, executive director of SPOC, told reporters it is time for federal, provincial and municipal politicians to sit down with prostitutes’ representatives and work out regulatory schemes that will keep workers and their clients safe and healthy. Ms. Thomas said that prostitutes are well on the way to being normal citizens who file income taxes, purchase property and investments, and go about their employment without disturbing others.

Canada's government—which is in the hands of conservatives sexphobes—can and most likely will appeal this ruling to Canada's supreme court.