A group of Montreal strippers is planning a strike on Canadian Grand Prix weekend, aiming to disrupt one of the city’s most lucrative nights for strip clubs as part of a push for stronger worker protections and workers’ rights. The event, scheduled for May 23, focuses on the eve of the Formula 1 race weekend, when demand and revenues usually peak.
The Autonomous Sex Work Committee (SWAC) said the strike was aimed at putting pressure on club management during their busiest time of the year.
“As strippers, we are considered independent contractors, which means on paper we are treated the same as an independent plumber you would hire to repair your home,” SWAC said in a statement cited by Reuters. “An independent contractor plumber is responsible to no one but himself, while an independent contractor stripper is responsible to the management of the club at the expense of his work.”
The planned strike is expected to reignite debate over the classification and working conditions of prostitutes in Canada, particularly those who work as independent contractors in nightlife venues. The group added that the timing of the action is deliberate, aimed at maximizing economic pressure on club owners. Montreal strippers plan strike on F1 race weekend (Photo SWAC)
“Clubs are at their busiest, making it the most lucrative time of year for our boss,” the statement continued. “This is our chance to threaten that income and hit them when it hurts the most. During this time, even though management is making more money, the dancers have to put up with generally worse working conditions.”
The campaign centers on demands to be recognized as employees rather than independent contractors, along with the abolition of mandatory “bar fees” paid by dancers to perform. SWAC also calls for improved safety standards, sanitary working conditions, and an end to discriminatory hiring and scheduling practices.
With the Canadian Grand Prix weekend coming up, the proposed event is expected to attract significant attention due to a surge in tourism and nightlife, and will impose further scrutiny on working conditions in one of the city’s most profitable entertainment periods.
The race weekend, which begins on May 22, will feature one practice session, followed by sprint qualifying and a sprint race on May 23. Qualifying for the main Grand Prix is scheduled for May 24, the main race is scheduled for May 25.
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Published on:
16 May 2026 20:37 IST
