-- OTTAWA -- The RCMP have beefed up security around Immigration Minister Diane Finley in response to threats from criminal groups that oppose her efforts to block foreign strippers from entering Canada, federal officials said yesterday.Under the previous Liberal regime it was full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes... despite the unsavory nature of the business.
Officials said the extra security flows directly from Bill C-17, which would limit the number of work visas given to foreign strippers.
In 2004, then-immigration-minister Judy Sgro cancelled a blanket authorization for work permits to strippers after it was revealed that her office granted a visa extension to a Romanian stripper who had worked on her election campaign.Yeah... I don't think I'd put extra strippers at the top of my agenda.
Another former Liberal immigration minister, Joe Volpe, said that criminal groups are involved in strip clubs and have “aggressively lobbied” federal civil servants to obtain work visas for foreign strippers.
But then again... I'm a Conservative.
**********
FROM THE COMMENTS:
"Now the Conservatives plan to stop moving strippers to the front of the immigration line and try to prevent exploitation. Again, the Liberals are against this?"And another...
"We've got immigrant doctors driving cabs and badly needed tradespeople not even able to get into the country. But Liberals want to ensure the flow of new strippers and exploited sex trade workers continues!"
"I guess that group must form a core part of their voter base?"
"The Conservatives should leave well enough alone and let foreign exotic dancers into Canada and out of countries where they face regular exploitation, says Guidy Mamann, a Toronto lawyer who specializes in immigration issues."Yeah sure, Guidy... "Let my clients go!"
**********
UPDATE: Darcey has some background.
*
