R. v. A.M.

Decided: 2026-10-16. Docket: 41528. Citation: 2026 SCC 33 (CanLII). Criminal and statutory offences — Sexual services offences and human trafficking offences — Prior sexual activity evidence — Whether inferences from prior sex work are permissible — Commercial nature of sex work distinguished from sexual nature — Myths and stereotypes not conflated with legitimate inferences — Trial judge’s gatekeeping role and limits on propensity reasoning — Appeal dismissed | Statutory interpretation — Criminal Code, s. 276 — Enumerated offences — Whether s. 276 categorically applies to sexual services and human trafficking offences — Textual, contextual, and purposive analysis of “in respect of” — Barton “some connection” test clarified, requiring all elements implicated — Categorical inclusion rejecte