If you’re like me, the big question on your mind about the 2010 Vancouver Olympics is this: Will the prostitutes be safe from the media? Fortunately, The Prostitution Alternatives Counselling and Education Society (PACE) is already on the case.

Sex trade workers in Vancouver are receiving sessions in media training at PACE headquarters, located in the city’s notorious Downtown Eastside (admittance not granted without the secret knock).

PACE spokesperson Kerry Porth:

“We find sometimes that media attention to the area can be a little less than compassionate and we don’t want them to feel like animals in a zoo during that time. … We just want (the sex trade workers) to be aware of what their rights are around media, including the fact that it is legal for (media) to take a picture of them on a public street. And if they do consent to an interview, they can get the questions ahead of time. Things like that.”

Prostitution is legal in Canada, but running a brothel or soliciting sex on the street are not. This of course makes no sense, and is part of what makes the country great — along with Don Cherry and cheap meds.

I, of course, got a copy of the PACE training manual, and was particularly intrigued by the chapters The Four-Man Luge And You; Eleven Fun Things To Do With A Curling Broom; and Around The World With Bob Costas.