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VIERSEN APOLOGIZES FOR COMMENT

Alberta MP apologizes for sex work comment during House debate

Feb 5, 2020 | 9:06 AM

OTTAWA- A Conservative MP from Alberta has apologized for asking a female MP in the House of Commons whether she’d ever considered sex work.

The comment came during debate today on the Parole Board’s handling of a convicted murderer who is accused of killing a woman in Quebec City after he was given permission to visit sex workers while on day parole.

After Arnold Viersen, MP for Peace River-Westlock, addressed the House, Victoria New Democrat MP Laurel Collins urged him to listen to sex workers who are saying that sex is work.

Viersen was audibly booed when he responded by asking Collins if she’d ever considered sex work.