Friday's landmark Supreme Court ruling that struck down parts of Canada's prostitution laws sparked responses from pundits, politicians and women's groups. But one of the weirdest responses probably came from Toronto City Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti.
The right-wing councillor resurrected his idea that Toronto City Council turn Toronto Island into a red-light district.
"I TOLD YOU SO, I TOLD YOU SO, I TOLD YOU SO, I TOLD YOU SO," the press release starts.
"I firmly believe that the Toronto Island needs to be the only area where prostitution is allowed in the City of Toronto," he states.
Here's the press release in full:
The Toronto islands, actually a group of small connected islands, are currently home to a children's amusement park, a few hundred year-round residents and Billy Bishop airport. The islands are also home to children's day camps in the summer.
Mammoliti brought-up the red light district idea during his aborted mayoral run in 2010 and again in 2011.
"To put it in an area away from the city might make some sense, and the islands fit the bill,” Mammoliti told the Toronto Star back in 2011. “The industry exists and we’re not making a penny from it . . . I haven’t raised it with the mayor and his people yet, but I will.”
He also said that he wants to seek provincial permission for a casino on the Islands or on a floating barge in Lake Ontario.
Mammoliti also cited the existence of Hanlan's Point, a nude beach, as a reason why the islands would be a good location for a red-light district.
The councillor has also said that the city should be seeking ways to make money off the sex trade through licencing fees or other taxes.
Mammoliti is one of the more colourful members of Toronto City Council. He's sparred with Mayor Rob Ford, despite being a former member of the mayor's executive council. Last week, Mammoliti had to apologize to council for an outburst where he accused city staff of taking over council.
"I apologize to you if I offended you or anyone else in this chamber, but I do not and I will not withdraw my comments with respect to how I feel about city staff and the comments they make about motions," he said to speaker Frances Nunziata.
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