The government of Canada has announced several changes to temporary worker programs that will dramatically reduce the number of foreign strippers working in the country.
Already the government has made moves toward this goal by reducing the amount of permits issued to exotic dancers each year – last year only 12 entered the country.
However, both the Human Resources and Immigration Departments have now announced their intention to stop renewing visas for those who are already in Canada, which will result in hundreds of strippers being forced to leave the country.
The move is part of a larger effort to crack down on human trafficking, according to government officials. Recently a series of changes to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker program have been planned in hopes of cracking down on exploitation – including the exploitation of sex workers.
Officials in the adult industry, however, are critical of the move. They argue that removing these workers from the country will create a labour shortage that could lead to further instances of exploitation. Many strip club owners may turn their recruitment efforts toward international students.
Some advocates say that denying the work permits will do nothing to protect these women, who are generally aware of what they are getting into when they enter the country under the exotic dancer category of worker.
Source: Globe and Mail