Should the Supreme Court of Canada legalize brothels?

They say it is the world's oldest profession, but prostitution is still cloaked in darkness and steeped in Canada's murky underworld.

But a legal challenge to be heard by the Supreme Court of Canada beginning on Thursday could change that. Among the issued being weighed by Canada's top court are whether brothels should be legal.

The Canadian Press reports the legal challenge comes after the Ontario Court of Appeal struck down the province's law that forbids brothels, but upheld a ban on "communication for the purposes of prostitution."

[ Related: Supreme Court to hear prostitution challenge ]

Prostitution itself is not illegal in Canada, but pretty much everything that surrounds it is against the law, making the act treacherous at best.

Sex workers claim the laws infringe on their rights and put them in danger by cloaking their profession in darkness. Advocates say legalizing the industry would allow prostitutes to hire drivers and bodyguards and work in brothels that feature regulations and oversight.

But opponents argue that prostitution is a form of exploitation and should be eradicated. Prostitutes should be treated as victims and offered help, while pimps and johns should be jailed.

It will take the Supreme Court months to weigh the debate on whether to legalize brothels. But that shouldn't stop us from discussing the merits.

So we ask: Should Canada legalize brothels?