Agenda Item No.: F.4.c. C
Bylaw No. 11621 - To Amend Bylaw No. 10397, A Bylaw to License, Regulate and Control
Dating and Escort Services
Motion on the Floor:
1. That Bylaw No. 11621 be read a first time.
2. That a Dating and Escort Services
Task Force be struck with terms-ofreference, which would include composition of the task force to be determined by City Council.
Recommendation:
1.
That the motion on Bylaw No. 11621 be withdrawn or defeated.
2.
That the motion that a Dating and Escort
Services Task Force be struck be passed.
3.
That City Council approve the terms-ofreference for a Dating and Escort
Services Task Force (Attachment 2).
Report Summary

Due to the complexity of the issues surrounding the proposed amendments to the Bylaw to License, Regulate and
Control Dating and Escort Services, the
Safer Cities Initiatives Advisory
Committee is withdrawing its earlier recommendation considered by City
Council at its March 17, 1998 meeting.
SCIAC is also putting forward proposed terms-of-reference for a Dating and
Escort Services Task Force should City
Council decide on this course of action.
Previous Council/Committee Action

At the March 17, 1998 Council, the following motion was passed:
“That the following motions on
Bylaw No. 11621 be referred to the
June 29, 1998 Community Services
Committee meeting to be dealt with at 10:00 a.m.
(Moved M. Phair - T. Cavanagh - made at the October 28, 1997 City Council meeting)
That Bylaw No. 11621 be read a first time.
(MOVED L. Chahley - B. Maitson - made at the March 17, 1998 City Council meeting).
That a Dating and Escort Services
Task Force be struck with terms-ofreference, which would include composition of the task force to be determined by City Council.
Report

The proposed amendments (Bylaw No.
11621) introduced several measures to strengthen the controlling and regulating aspects of dating and escort service agencies. The existing Bylaw (Bylaw
No. 10397) has been criticized by some members of the industry because it was not stringent enough.

A Sub-Committee of SCIAC met several times with representatives from
Edmonton Police Service, Bylaw
Enforcement and Vice Units, the Law
Branch and agency representatives to review the Bylaw. In addition, a letter was received from the Edmonton
Working Women’s Group stating its position regarding the issue.

A comprehensive review of the existing situation is necessary prior to any amendments of the existing Bylaw.
Routing:
Delegation:
Written By:
June 17, 1998
98CASC04
Community Services Committee, City Council
Mayor Bill Smith, Chief John Lindsay, Richard Drewry
Pijush Sarker, Kathy Barnhart
Safer Cities Initiatives Advisory Committee
(Page 1 of 2)
F
4 c
C

Bylaw No. 11621 - To Amend Bylaw No. 10397, A Bylaw to License, Regulate and Control
Dating and Escort Services
Agencies and escorts have conflicting views, in some cases, about how to make the bylaw most effective.

In summary, SCIAC felt that on the basis of the opinions and information obtained from SCIAC members,
Edmonton Police Service, the Law
Branch of Corporate Services and the
Edmonton Working Women, it would be preferable to continue with the existing
Bylaw No. 10397 and to undertake a review of the entire dating and escort services issue through a task force as suggested by several members of City
Council.
Budget / Financial Implications

This initiative will require some dedicated resources. It is estimated that approximately $15,000 will be needed for this project. Source of funds yet to be determined.
Legal Implications

The existing Bylaw would remain in effect until such time as the Task Force presented its final report to City Council and further decisions were made.
Justification of Recommendation
1.
The withdrawal of the proposed Bylaw
No. 11621 will allow the current Bylaw
No. 10397 to continue until a comprehensive review of dating and escort services is undertaken by the proposed Dating and Escort Services
Task Force.
2.
The approval of the motion on the floor will facilitate the process of reviewing dating and escort services issues in a logical manner.
3.
The proposed terms-of-reference outline a comprehensive strategy that recognizes the importance of working with the stakeholders and the community to address dating and escort services issues.
Background Information Attached
1.
Safer Cities Initiatives Advisory
Committee Report Considered at the
March 17, 1998 Meeting of City
Council.
2.
Terms-of-Reference: Dating and Escort
Services Task Force.
(Page 2 of 2)

Attachment 1
Safer Cities Initiatives Advisory Committee Report Considered at the March 17, 1998
Meeting of City Council
Insert 98CASC02 and hard copy of Attachment 2
Attachment 1 - Page 1 of 8

Terms-of-Reference: Dating and Escort Services Task Force
Attachment 2
1. Authority
The Dating and Escort Services Task Force is established and appointed by City Council.
2. Goal
The goal of the Task Force is to review the existing Dating and Escort Services Bylaw No.
10397, with a view towards assessing how well the Bylaw is working and the advantages and disadvantages of having this Bylaw.
3. Duties and Responsibilities

Review legislation and bylaws pertaining to the issue;

Become a catalyst, review the concerns of stakeholder groups and hold meetings of stakeholder groups to understand their concerns;

Encourage stakeholders to develop consensus in decisions, where possible; and

Advise City Council and make recommendations concerning this Bylaw and any possible amendments.
4. Composition and Operations of the Task Force

City Council shall appoint seven (7) volunteer members and four (4) staff members from the
City of Edmonton to the Dating and Escort Services Task Force. Members will represent a broad cross-section of the Edmonton community, be interested in the dating and escort services issue, and will be willing to actively participate in the activities of the Task Force. A minimum of three (3) members shall be volunteers nominated from the Safer Cities
Initiatives Advisory Committee who have considerable expertise in the issue area.
Volunteer Members
Three (3) volunteer members of the Safer Cities Initiatives Advisory Committee
One (1) Manager from Alberta Family and Social Services, Child Welfare - Edmonton
One (1) Former member of the Action Group on Prostitution, and
Two (2) citizens-at-large.
Attachment 2 - Page 1 of 3

Terms-of-Reference: Dating and Escort Services Task Force
Attachment 2
Staff Members
One (1) member of the Edmonton Police Service (Vice Unit),
One (1) Bylaw Enforcement Officer (Edmonton Police Service)
One (1) Manager, Community Services Department, and
One (1) Lawyer, Law Branch, (Corporate Services).

The Task Force will select its own chair, meet on an as-required and work through a consensus form of decision making. However, in the event a decision cannot be reached by consensus, recommendations will be determined on the basis of a simple majority vote. Only volunteer members, i.e. non-city of Edmonton employees will have a vote.

A quorum will be a simple majority of members.

Volunteer members will be reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses to attend meetings of the Task Force, upon submission of proper receipts.

Any amendments to their Terms-of-Reference must be approved by City Council.
5. Tenure of Office
The Task Force will cease to exist upon City Council’s acceptance of its final report, due by
July 31, 1999. All members of the Task Force will be appointed for a term ending with the culmination of the Task Force.
6. Administrative Support

The Community Services Department will provide administrative support to the Task Force through the Safer Cities Initiatives Office.
Attachment 2 - Page 2 of 3

Terms-of-Reference: Dating and Escort Services Task Force
Attachment 2
7. Timelines
August, 1998 City Council appoints Task Force
November, 1998 Data gathered and stakeholders’ meetings completed
January, 1999 Preliminary Report to Community Services Committee
March, 1999
July, 1999
Final Report to Community Services Committee
City Council Consideration.
8. Resources
This initiative will require some dedicated resources. It is estimated that approximately
$15,000 will be needed for this project to complete a thorough analysis of the issue.
9. Resignation and Removal
Any council-appointed member of the Task Force may resign at any time upon written notice to City Council. Any council-appointed member may be removed by City Council for just cause. Non-attendance at three consecutive meetings without adequate reason shall be considered a just cause. A new member shall then be appointed by City Council.
Attachment 2 - Page 3 of 3