Overview

• On July 24, 2025, Canada’s top court rejected the constitutional challenge arguing that third-party benefit bans violate the Charter right to security.
• Mikhail Kloubakov and Hicham Moustaine were convicted in 2018 for acting as paid drivers for an escort service and argued their roles enhanced worker safety.
• A trial judge initially struck down the material-benefits provisions as overly broad for ensnaring supportive roles, prompting the Crown’s appeal.
• The Alberta Court of Appeal reinstated the convictions and directed that Kloubakov and Moustaine be sentenced before the Supreme Court delivered its ruling.
• Advocates remain split over whether criminalizing third-party support undermines sex-worker safety by restricting access to protective networks.