toronto — an advocacy group representing strippers will argue in ontario court this week that provincial pandemic measures affecting strip clubs have targeted the workers and violated their charter rights.
the application for judicial review was filed last fall after the province ordered the closure of all strip clubs following covid-19 exposures and investigations at some toronto facilities.
strip clubs were later allowed to reopen with safety plans under ontario’s pandemic rules, but the workers’ group intends to argue that strippers have been targeted and excluded even after the changes.
the factum for work safe twerk safe argues that while accommodations were made for businesses, strippers weren’t offered labour protections or consulted on the measures, as they expected to be based on past practice.
“the broader context for the regulations is that it prioritizes the economic interests of the strip club owners and municipalities over and above the health and safety of the strippers by wholly excluding them,” the factum filed in ontario’s superior court last month reads.
the case is due to be heard in court monday morning.
the group argues in its court filings that the provincial rules impact the strippers’ charter rights to freedom of expression, association and security of person, noting that the contractors were shut out from consultations about regulations in their workplaces.