Canadian Grand Prix faces stripper strike during F1 weekend

A group of strippers in Montreal, organized under the Sex Work Autonomous Committee (SWAC), will strike on Saturday May 23 — the day of the Canadian Grand Prix's sprint race and qualifying. The walkout is timed to hit club owners during Formula 1's most lucrative period, with record attendance of 352,000 expected this year.

Why it matters:

The strike uses the global F1 spotlight to highlight labor disputes in the sex work industry. Dancers argue they are misclassified as self-employed and face unsafe conditions, including violence, discrimination, and exploitative fees — issues that often go unnoticed.

The details:

• Strike timing: Saturday May 23, coinciding with sprint and qualifying at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
• Key demands: End of workplace violence, healthy working environment, fair scheduling, and recognition as employees with rights.
• Exploitative practices: SWAC says clubs raise bar fees to $110 per night during F1, overbook dancers, and enforce arbitrary penalty fees. One club made roughly $33,000 just from door fees for 60 dancers across five nights in 2025.
• Broader goal: The group seeks to counter anti-sex work narratives and demonstrate worker agency through collective action.

What's next:

The strike could affect entertainment options for racegoers and pressure club owners to negotiate. Meanwhile, the Canadian Grand Prix proceeds as scheduled, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) holding a 20-point advantage over teammate George Russell. The action adds an off-track dimension to a weekend already high in stakes.