REGINA – Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall has announced the government will reverse a liquor regulation that allows alcohol to be served in strip clubs.
Wall told reporters Wednesday morning it was “the wrong decision” to make changes that made it legal to strip in bars, citing the potential for increases in human trafficking, sexual exploitation and organized criminal activity.
“Is this a huge impact with respect to the potential for increased human trafficking or organized crime in the province? Probably not,” Wall said. “But why would we risk it?”
Wall said police in Saskatchewan advised him that “close to 100 per cent” of clubs in central Canada are operated by gangs: “We think we made a mistake and we’re fixing it.”
The changes won’t take effect immediately, but the ministry of justice and Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) are in the process of re-writing the regulations. Wall said it would be “a matter of weeks.”
“We made a mistake and we’re fixing it.”
Relaxed liquor laws were introduced in 2014, paving the way for partial nudity and wet t-shirt contests in drinking establishments. Since then, several bars have held strip tease events. Full frontal nudity remained illegal.
A regular operating strip club in Codette, near Nipawin could now go out of business.
“All my wait staff is very upset because that’s what keeps them going is the busy weekends out here and now that’s going to be out the window,” Don Versteraeten, Codette Hotel owner and manager.
In January, Regina city council made the controversial decision to deny its first licensed strip club – despite the proposal meeting all bylaw requirements. Several delegates who spoke against the proposal said they would begin lobbying provincial politicians to change the liquor laws.
Community members voiced the same concerns about exploitation and crime.
“I had more people contact my office and city hall than on any other issue this term – that includes the referendum for the waste water treatment plant or the stadium, so people were very much motivated by this issue,” said Mayor Michael Fougere.
“I think what this decision will do is it won’t make things worse,” explained Dr. Carrie Bourassa, an indigenous health studies professor at First Nations University.
She said the government’s sudden change of heart should be the start to preventing sex trafficking in Saskatchewan.
“There’s an opportunity now that if he realizes this was a good move and a good decision and he knows there’s an issue then now’s the time to invest in that,” Bourassa said, referring to Wall.
READ MORE: Stripping in Saskatchewan remains polarizing subject
Saskatchewan will revert to being the only province that doesn’t allow stripping where alcohol is served.
“Rather than have someone make another application, we thought we’d make it clear now,” Wall said.
The premier said he recognizes it’s a divisive issue, but when asked if he wanted to take a stand on a national stage, Wall said there wasn’t much thought into setting a precedent.
“We needed to confirm that we think we made a mistake and we’re fixing it.”
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