Ontario strip clubs, worker advocates say provincial shutdown is unfair

Strip club operators are voicing frustration over the Ontario government's move to shut down their establishments, saying the closure was ordered without consultation and treats the industry unfairly.

The province announced the shutdown late last week, saying it was needed to reduce transmission in high-risk businesses.

Mauro Mastrucci, who owns the Airport Strip Club in Mississauga, Ont., said clubs weren't warned about the order and argued the measure discriminates against the adult entertainment industry.

"It's totally frustrating," he said, noting that his club had followed public health guidelines, installed Plexiglasbarriers, required customers to wear masks, and checked patrons' temperature at the door.

Two Toronto strip clubs made headlines this summer after COVID-19 cases were linked to the establishments. But Mastrucci said restaurants and bars have also seen cases and have only had to close temporarily while his industry has to deal with a provincewide shutdown.

"How can they distinguish that it's more likely that strip clubs will be able to spread COVID-19 and bars and restaurants won't," he said.

Other strip clubs echoed that sentiment, including one in Barrie, Ont. In an online post, Crossovers shared news about crowds attending a recent car rally in Wasaga Beach, Ont., writing, "And yet strip clubs are the problem ..."

'Why are we the scapegoat of moral panic?'

One Toronto woman who works as a dancer in several strip clubs in Ontario said the closure reflects negative stereotypes about their industry.

"Why are we the scapegoat of moral panic? This goes back to the idea that sex workers are vectors of disease," she said.

Hear how exoticdancers are dealing with strip club shutdowns

The woman, who also works with Work Safe Twerk Safe, an organization that offers advice and other supports for dancers, asked not to be identified for fear it could jeopardize her future employment opportunities.

Ellie Ade Kur, a board member with sex worker support organization Maggie's Toronto, said closing strip clubs demonstrates bias against a set of workers already struggling financially after non-essential businesses had to close earlier in the pandemic.

"Strippers are being shamed in a way that other businesses are not," she said. "We don't think it's acceptable."

Health ministry alleges contact tracing logs incomplete

Maggie's Toronto has fundraised throughout the pandemic to support sex workers, and Ade Kur said governments should step up to support those losing income from the targeted closure.

The Ministry of Health said the closure is part of an attempt to address a rapid increase in community transmission of COVID-19.

It also said contract tracing logs kept by the clubs were "often incomplete."

Ade Kur said club workers could have proposed solutions on how to keep the establishments safe had they been consulted.

"These are some of the best people to consult around public health because their work is literally determined by their own health and safety," Ade Kur said.