Liberal Harjit Sajjan says Conservative brothel claims are fear tactics
Vancouver Liberal candidate Harjit Sajjan is slamming Conservative claims about Liberal mandated brothels and drug dispensaries.
At a debate last week in Oakville, Ont., Conservative candidate Terence Young told voters "the Liberals have promised to legalize the selling of women in Canada," and would mandate marijuana stores and drug injection sites.
Sajjan, a former police officer, says the claims are unfounded.
"It is disappointing to hear someone who wants to represent Canadians in Parliament resort to misinformation and fear tactics. Clearly they see the Liberal party momentum, that our plan is actually resonating with Canadians."
Sajjan says that the Conservatives are making similar claims in Chinese-language newspaper ads in his riding.
He acknowledges his party's opposition to a Conservative law making it a crime to buy sex. But he insists it is unfair to equate that with a plan to mandate brothels in Canadian communities. Asked for details on what the Liberals would do about prostitution, he points to the need to consult experts on how to reduce the sex trade while protecting sex workers.
Sajjan defends safe injections sites as a way to reduce risks for addicts and keep them off the streets. On marijuana, Sajjan again calls for consultation with experts but blames Conservative criminalization policies for empowering drug dealers to the point where, he says, it is harder to order a pizza in Vancouver than it is to buy drugs.