As of July 14th, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will no longer process new work permit applications for anyone applying for a job in any sex-trade related business, ie, strip clubs, escort services and massage parlors.

The Adult Entertainment Association of Canada immediately objected to the ban saying that strippers don't belong on the list. Do they?

SEX TRADE

The AEAC seems like a legitimate not-for-profit organization that in the past has attempted to address some valid concerns of exotic dancers such as work environment. However in this case it seems like they have their head in the sand. Granted in most cases, these entertainers do not perform sex acts with clients as do escort and massage parlor attendants. But it IS the sex trade is it not?

There are too many stories of women from Eastern Europe or the Philippines lured to Canada by the promise of lucrative employment (nanny for example) only to be met by burly pimps telling them the real state of affairs. We either sanction human-trafficking or we don't. Obviously, morally we do not. However until now we have done little about it.

This week's announcement by Human Resources Minister Diane Finley and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney is a step in the right direction. The AEAC and strip club owners contend many women are content in their legal profession of stripping. Strip clubs are legal businesses allowed to operate under the laws of Canada. If women can't come here to simply get naked, some feel they will be forced into seamier and more dangerous situations.

Between 600 to 800 foreign nationals are brought to Canada each year to work in the sex trade, and sorry AEAC, but that includes stripping. I don't judge them for that but I can't imagine one who wouldn't trade her life for something else. Laws have flaws but at least this new regulation says "no" fairly plain and simply. LEAVE COMMENTS.

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