Sex workers in Montreal are organizing a strike during the 2026 Formula 1 Grand Prix, scheduled for June 12-14, to demand the decriminalization of sex work and better labor protections. The action, led by the group 'Strippers United for Rights,' aims to highlight the precarious working conditions and legal status of sex workers in Quebec.
According to organizers, the strike will involve a protest march and a public forum on June 13, 2026, near the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. They argue that decriminalization would improve safety and access to health services, citing models in New Zealand and parts of Australia. The group has called for the repeal of Canada's laws that criminalize aspects of sex work, such as the 'Nordic model' adopted in 2014.
Local authorities have not commented on the planned strike, but the event is expected to draw attention during the high-profile Grand Prix weekend. The strike follows similar actions in other cities, including a 2024 protest in Toronto. Organizers emphasize that the strike is non-violent and aims to educate the public.
