Supreme Court restores minimum sentence for obtaining sexual services from a minor

The Supreme Court of Canada has reinstated the mandatory minimum sentence for offenders who obtain or solicit sexual services from a minor in exchange for money.

In doing so, the country’s highest court overturns a May 2024 decision by the Quebec Court of Appeal in which it ruled that the mandatory minimum sentence for this offence was unconstitutional.

The case dates back to 2018, when defendant Mario Denis was found guilty of soliciting sexual services and sentenced to the minimum term of six months.

Denis, now 61, responded to fake advertisements for escort services posted by police officers and was told the escort in question was 16 years old.