View Full Version : Working in Canada. Commonly Asked Questions!
Misskatia
04-12-2013, 10:04 AM
Yay Cally, good job! This should probably be stickied, as we both answer shitloads of the same ?'s over and over again.
Here's a rookie FAQ for working in BC I wrote a few years ago:
Oops! I think you forgot something.
Would you please attach the link for the Rookie FAQ.
Thanks; )
femme-inist
05-02-2013, 08:46 PM
Can someone from the states strip in Canada, or do you need a work permit?
^^^I have read that they dont even allow us workers permits up there any more which sucks and is unfair but if you hear something else please let me know I would love to dance there anywho, I asked this same ?? on the page b4 this one but here was the answer I got:
There are some divey clubs I know of in Quebec that would take Americans, though I don't think there is a lot of money to be made there. Legit clubs usually check IDs.
One option you might want to consider is contacting Janet at bestdancers.com. I know that she has a booking in Alberta Canada. There have been a few things said about her agency, but I've done a few gigs for her in the past and I had a good experience.
femme-inist
05-03-2013, 04:57 AM
Ah, that' s right. I should have read this thread more closely, but thanks!
shanna dior
05-03-2013, 05:16 AM
There's no legal way for foreigners to dance in Canada anymore, but given the lack of licensing in many cities, that doesn't mean it is impossible. As long as you come prepared to not find somewhere, without work shoes at the border, don't get caught up in the drug scene (that's really the only thing local law enforcement cares about) and go to the right cities (Montreal, Ottawa, etc. are good money with no licensing), it's certainly doable.
femme-inist
05-03-2013, 05:35 AM
That's what I figured..there were plenty of foreign girls in the clubs I worked at that got payed under the table..I figured the same thing about Canada. Do you think it would be possible to dance in Montreal without knowing any French?
Before I even got on this forum I had wondered/thought $$ would be good in toraonto because I had a custy who was an investment banker travel from there to my old club often and spend, spend, spend. But I am guessing you need a liscense there so if I tell them I am from usa and show drivers liscence will they still hire? or do you pretend you lost those things?lol.
shanna dior
05-03-2013, 02:06 PM
Montreal is a surprisingly English city, so you'll be fine dancing there without any French. There are lots of tourists there and I'd say most locals are bilingual. You might get the odd French-only customer, but a dance is "une danse" and 10$ (the cost of dances in most clubs) is "dix dollars."
Toronto is a no-go for foreign dancers because of the licensing. You can't just pretend you "lost" it when you'll be showing American ID. You might find a really divey club that will take you on for a shift or two, but Toronto is dirty enough as it is, so I shudder to think what a club that is willing to overlook that there is like. Best just skip Toronto which isn't even the most lucrative city in Canada. Mississauga, nearby, doesn't require a license, so that's an option if you'll be around there.
Clearskies
07-02-2013, 03:58 PM
They are a few companies in sask who hire girls for private parties and stags. But yes strip clubs are illegal, I hear its about to change though!
vickytoria
07-17-2013, 12:08 AM
Anyone else been up to Studio 4 in Windsor, ON?
Or Blue Oasis in Alberta?
Melody.Merlot
07-27-2013, 06:03 PM
Hi yes I worked at Blue Oasis in 2011 and worked in Toronto from 2011-2013.
Jemma
09-12-2013, 07:18 PM
A note for people who come here internationally to dance, legally.
Assuming the imminent passage of omnibus budget bill C-38, the Canadian government will have the authority to deny and revoke visas to foreigners working at strip clubs throughout the country. Conservatives have wanted to end the practice for a long time, the Toronto Sun reported, but could not do so until provisions in the previous Immigration Act had been overturned.
Does anyone know what the current situation is on this??
I have applied for the IEC Working Holiday Visa which is an "open" visa - it specifically states on the government website " There is No restriction on the type of work on a Working Holiday as it is an "open" work permit. "
I've also called a couple of clubs in Vancouver who have confirmed that they take dancers who are on this visa. Is this legit??
Money_Worshipper
09-27-2013, 05:08 PM
anybody have info in FOR YOUR EYES ONLY club in Toronto?
what's the hustle like? laid back or cutthroat like Brass Rail? girls? customers?
shanna dior
09-27-2013, 05:45 PM
^MW, you'll probably have better luck posting in Club Chat since this thread isn't necessarily checked regularly.
Re: the visa situation (Jemma), still illegal. You will without a doubt find clubs who don't care. It's truly only an issue in cities with licensing, since you won't be able to get a license and the clubs won't take you without one. Vancouver doesn't have that license, so you can definitely risk it and probably be fine, but I wouldn't recommend claiming your income as coming from stripping.
Submersed
11-29-2013, 03:37 AM
I danced at the Paramount in Vancouver for a year. Very friendly staff/management, non-alcoholic, semi-contact. Business had really slowed before I left back in the summer but you could make a good 200-600 if you hustled. Heavily based on regulars, VERY fun to dance at, $25 dances, mostly friendly customers.
Was at Chez Paree in Montreal for four months. It's got the best reputation in Montreal somehow but doesn't deserve it. Some dancers are nice but the night shift is uber competitive, they will play mind games with you and openly steal your customers. Management will not protect you from customers, had a customer grope me in the VIP and underpaid me and the manager told me he didn't care. Management also lies to you and treats all dancers with suspicion. The police are there every day to check for extras or arrest random criminals. Very high-stress club. The day-shift DJ has been there 20 years though and is a doll and your best friend. Hard to get on the night shift, there is a revolving door of day dancers and the night-shift girls protect their status. Day shifts are often dead with maybe 4 customers for hours. Your money depends on snagging a high roller, the average customer only buys a dance or two and it's extremely over-staffed. Money is anywhere from 0-1000. Easy to stand out on stage, most girls barely dance and only a few know any pole tricks, but the dancers who do know their stuff are amazing and the stage is spotless. Dances are non-contact on the floor and contact in the VIP. Customers are overly handsy and rude, mostly french guys who expect extras or drunk american tourists who treat worse than they would back home because they're in a "foreign" country. Would not recommend because of the stress and difficulty of hustle except maybe to temper yourself; I went back to the Paramount for a month after Chez Paree and basically felt like an untouchable goddess compared the cooking pot I had just come from and money was so much easier than before.
Danced one night at Wanda's at the behest of a friend. Nicely laid out club but non-contact and a weird sell, couldn't make much. Three stages and not much room for pole tricks. Most dancers who've danced here tell me it's really fun but there's no money anymore since the other downtown clubs switched to full contact.
Thinking of visiting Kingston for a week, anybody worked there recently?
Karma07
01-22-2014, 05:23 PM
Is there some girls that worked in Quebec City? I'd really like advice about the clubs (there's not a lot to choose from though), the ambiance, whats to expect...
Thank you to any girl that will answer :D xx
miss_e245
09-17-2014, 06:41 PM
So has any American/non-Canadian had any luck dancing in Montreal? I'm interested in visiting and would like to work there if it's possible. Should I just call some clubs and ask?
hamdinger
09-17-2014, 07:07 PM
^^ I'd also like to know about this. I love Montreal and I really want to go back. Lived there for a semester a couple of years ago, and my roommate at the time told me he hosted an American couchsurfer who was travel dancing in Montreal. Gives me some hope...
shanna dior
09-18-2014, 01:28 PM
You certainly won't get hired over the phone, and I can't imagine most clubs would openly tell a stranger over the phone that they are willing to hire you illegally. Unfortunately I think your only option is to just show up and hope for the best. There are a TON of clubs in Montreal though, so the odds of none of them taking you are pretty slim, I'd say.
britchick85
09-21-2014, 05:55 AM
So has any American/non-Canadian had any luck dancing in Montreal? I'm interested in visiting and would like to work there if it's possible. Should I just call some clubs and ask?
Im British and I worked in a club in Montreal for a week last year. I don't think they even asked to see my passport.
shanna dior
09-21-2014, 06:17 AM
^I want to say the laws didn't go into effect until December 31, 2013, but I could be wrong.
britchick85
09-21-2014, 10:17 AM
I thought the law just meant people on work holiday visas could work in adult entertainment. I didn't have any kind of visa. They didn't care about anything not even checking my age. Whenever I worked in US illegally they still asked to see my passport to check my age. This place was a massive dive but I think thre are a lot of clubs like that in montreal. I would be surprised if they suddenly started doing things by the book unless LE has been giving them shit.
suzi_suzi
01-29-2015, 09:17 PM
I am an international student in Toronto. I went to aclub and they said that they can hire me because it's illegal for international students work in adult industry. Is it true? If yes, any idea where I can work? Thanks
SophiaSylvan
01-29-2015, 09:45 PM
I don't know about stripclubs. You might have to look for a more under-the-table kind of joint. When I first came to Toronto I worked as a pro-domme/pro-sub (not doing anything illegal) and they certainly didn't ask for my papers, lol.
You can also try working on webcam, you can do that from anywhere. That's what I did after the dungeon got too creepy for me.
suzi_suzi
01-29-2015, 09:53 PM
I don't know about stripclubs. You might have to look for a more under-the-table kind of joint. When I first came to Toronto I worked as a pro-domme/pro-sub (not doing anything illegal) and they certainly didn't ask for my papers, lol.
You can also try working on webcam, you can do that from anywhere. That's what I did after the dungeon got too creepy for me.
Hi
thank you so much
i am very new to the industry. Can u tell me what will I do in pro donne/ pro sub? I work in a club but only $4/song and I have to pay $10 every night for the DJ. The customers are disgusting, touch everywhere
SophiaSylvan
01-29-2015, 10:11 PM
Look into the back of the free NOW paper. You'll see it in boxes everywhere on street corners. In the back in the sex section there is a little area for dungeons. Be careful as many want you to give blowjobs or handjobs. Just ignore those places if/when you go for an interview. If you are new to BDSM they'll probably want you to start as a sub- get tied up, spanked etc. If you don't like people touching you, it is probably not a good thing for you to do. You have to be trained to be a domme (dominatrix), most will do it in-house. Maybe keep looking for other stripclubs until you find something better? Or start up a profile on onemodelplace.com if you want to do porn. You don't have to let anyone touch you- you can do solo stuff. Not sure how much money there is in it these days- it takes a while to be established and you have to be OK with your image on th internet. But it can help supplement your income. Camming is safer and higher paying in my experience, than any of it.
suzi_suzi
01-29-2015, 10:14 PM
Look into the back of the free NOW paper. You'll see it in boxes everywhere on street corners. In the back in the sex section there is a little area for dungeons. Be careful as many want you to give blowjobs or handjobs. Just ignore those places if/when you go for an interview. If you are new to BDSM they'll probably want you to start as a sub- get tied up, spanked etc. If you don't like people touching you, it is probably not a good thing for you to do. You have to be trained to be a domme (dominatrix), most will do it in-house. Maybe keep looking for other stripclubs until you find something better? Or start up a profile on onemodelplace.com if you want to do porn. You don't have to let anyone touch you- you can do solo stuff. Not sure how much money there is in it these days- it takes a while to be established and you have to be OK with your image on th internet. But it can help supplement your income. Camming is safer and higher paying in my experience, than any of it.
Thanks so much. Im looking into it
SophiaSylvan
01-29-2015, 10:16 PM
$4 a dance is way, way too low. Last time I was in a Toronto stripclub (as a customer) my husband and I paid $20/dance and that was in not the greatest clubs. Keep looking and trying, there are quite a lot of clubs in Toronto :) Good luck. Trust your instinct if you feel something is a bad situation.
suzi_suzi
01-29-2015, 10:26 PM
$4/ song so $16/15 mins... Even it's still low too
shanna dior
01-30-2015, 01:52 PM
I am an international student in Toronto. I went to aclub and they said that they can hire me because it's illegal for international students work in adult industry. Is it true? If yes, any idea where I can work? Thanks
Temporary foreign workers in Canada are not allowed to work in the adult industry. It's a misguided effort to curb human trafficking and sexual exploitation. That said, there are many clubs that are likely willing to look the other way -- just not in Toronto or any other city where you need a license from the city to work. You might have better luck in Mississauga or elsewhere in the GTA.
Also, I don't know what hole in the wall kind of a club you're working in that lap dances are $4 in Toronto, but $20 is standard. Are you sure it's a real strip club and not some shady operation? That price is both insulting and beyond bizarre. Our smallest bill is $5. Considering people don't really tip dancers here, are they expecting dancers to carry around a roll of loonies in case someone wants change? Something is off here, and you should really hightail it out of there.
suzi_suzi
01-31-2015, 06:56 AM
I think I mentioned not clearly
Well the price for 1 song is $4 we can get from the club but the dancers always have at least 15 mins(4 songs) for 1 dance.
So international students can't work in adult industry even the clubs in required license area or not?
shanna dior
01-31-2015, 07:02 AM
I think I mentioned not clearly
Well the price for 1 song is $4 we can get from the club but the dancers always have at least 15 mins(4 songs) for 1 dance.
So international students can't work in adult industry even the clubs in required license area or not?
Ok, but that doesn't change the price of the dance. It's still $4 a song, you're just selling a block of them at that price. In basically every other strip club in Ontario, dances are $20 and around 3-4 minutes. You're not even earning that in your 15 minute block.
Technically, no, you cannot work in the adult industry. But as I said, not all clubs follow those rules. It's just that clubs in cities with licenses tend to because you won't be able to get a license from the city, and they need their dancers to have licenses.
suzi_suzi
01-31-2015, 07:10 AM
Thanks Shanna
Yes the place I work is really cheap but I just started and I don't have much information about the industry. Do you know any clubs hiring without licence?
shanna dior
01-31-2015, 07:42 AM
Thanks Shanna
Yes the place I work is really cheap but I just started and I don't have much information about the industry. Do you know any clubs hiring without licence?
In Toronto? No. Nearby, you also need a license in Barrie, Vaughn, Burlington, Hamilton and Niagara. That leaves every other city license-free. So, you could potentially work in Mississauga, Oshawa, etc., etc. Literally any other city.
SweetCharlotteDarling
02-18-2015, 05:33 AM
So wonderfully helpful - Thank you!!!
Odette
03-07-2015, 03:08 PM
Hey Suzi,
Get the FUCK out of that club right now. This is clearly some kind of shady illegal bar, I worked in Toronto while I was a student there and ALL the clubs charge $20 a song. What is this place called? The only place I could think of off the top of my head that I have heard of that even nears that level of shadiness is Fairbanks Hotel, and I never worked there, I've heard of them letting girls work without a liscense there, but no idea on anything else. If you are looking for some decent clubs to try that will let you work without a liscence:
Solid Gold in Burlington (they charge a higher house fee in lieu of a liscense, I didn't work here long because they had a lot of girls when I was there and it was kind of slow, but very clean club)
Royal Hotel Whitby in Whitby (a no contact club--good choice if you dislike people touching you)
905 Lounge in Oshawa (I worked here for a little while when it was called Secret East, the fees are high and you'll need a driver, but there is earning potential if you hustle and gain regulars)
Any of the Missisauga clubs (I've heard decent things about Pure Gold, Airport Strip, the Landing Strip, and Treasures--keep in mind this area is heavy on the extras, you don't have to do that to make some money but you will be competing with girls who do and customers will request them frequently, but this goes for most of the GTA)
A little further out you have Nikki's Roadhouse near Woodstock. I commuted (1.5-2hrs drive each way from downtown toronto) but you could also book a motel for a couple nights. This is a hick bar, but there is money there, I made a few trips out with a couple girlfriends and we always left pretty happy. However, depending on your school schedule it may be tricky as they will only let you work mon-thurs when you are new, as they usually have a lot of girls and to keep the good ones happy, they don't overbook the weekend shifts with new girls. House fee is $20 I think, and the bar takes a $5 fee from you everytime you take a customer for a dance, no matter how many songs he stays for.
I ended up figuring out that actually the most convienient and profitable way to get through uni in toronto was actually to manage my assignment deadlines really well and hand things in early one week a month or so and take the bus or train up to Ottawa for a week and work there, I had a lot of friends I could stay with and my family is from there, but there are some cheap accomodations you could rent as well. I find the earning potential vs bullshit you have to deal with to be at a much better ratio here. Other areas that you could try would be Belleville, Cornwall (I've heard both are good as well), and Kingston. At all these clubs you will need 2 pieces of ID, I don't know what they would say about international IDs, but if you are elligible for any kind of canadian id (student id, health card maybe?) as an international student, I would show them those. There has got to be a better club that will let you work, somewhere.
Layla.00
03-07-2015, 03:40 PM
In Toronto? No. Nearby, you also need a license in Barrie, Vaughn, Burlington, Hamilton and Niagara. That leaves every other city license-free. So, you could potentially work in Mississauga, Oshawa, etc., etc. Literally any other city.
Just found out that Brantford also requires a license now.
Layla.00
03-07-2015, 03:43 PM
So wonderfully helpful - Thank you!!!
Pretty sure that these days Solid Gold in Burlington requires a license as well.
Odette
03-13-2015, 08:42 PM
^They charge you an extra $20 to work without it. I worked there a couple shifts and never bothered with getting the liscense because it ended up being too far of a commute to do regularly.
autumn_rose
03-21-2015, 09:59 PM
Anyone got any info on dancing in london or brantford? Which clubs are dirty/clean here, best to work at, what's the hustle/competition like?? Gentlemen club brantford, beef baron, flesh gordons, gold diggers?
Layla.00
03-22-2015, 12:28 AM
**sorry, I didn't realize that I had given you all this info already in another post. I apologise for being redundant*
I went to the club in Brantford two weekends ago and it was shut down. It was a Saturday night and the place was locked up. Which was pretty weird because I had been in contact with the manager via email. Here's what he emailed to me (guy obviously can't spell):
License 260
No Schedule
No Shift Pay
Freelance Yes cost 40.00
Yes 3 Shows
Accom Yes 40.00
Call Me 226 218 0796 because you new the prices are flexiable
We have VIA Train next door if you need Transporation
Look at our Web Site
I went to Nikki's just outside of Woodstock after that and there was a couple of dancers from Brantford there who I overheard talking about the club being closed. I don't know if it's temporary but not a good situation regardless. If you want to get in touch with him regardless, message me and I'll send you his contact.
Nikkis seemed like an OK place. It is definitely a dive and super rural but had lots of people and I think decent potential. Though I have been told by dancers there and dancers at other clubs that it extras abundant but there was still potential to make money as a clean dancer. There was no license and the house fee was like $40 (I think?) before 9:30pm. The club had a slow pace, lots of girls sitting and chatting with customers but it seemed like a lot of people were going to the VIP. The manager offered me and my girl a job, without an audition or anything like that. We're both brunettes, I am more curvy and have an ass/boobs and some extra weight in my mid section. My friend is petite, with a full sleeve. The other girls seemed to be late twenty-ish and up, varying body types and it was one of the most racially diverse clubs I have been to in the region.
Hamilton Strip is less than 30 minutes away from Brantford and I think some girls make pretty decent money there. They are always looking for dancers and are very diverse in terms of age and body shape. The place is also a dive but it's well managed and not a whole lot of funny business going on (at least to my knowledge). You also need a license in Hamilton.
I don't know much about London but if you find out, let me know!
Anyone got any info on dancing in london or brantford? Which clubs are dirty/clean here, best to work at, what's the hustle/competition like?? Gentlemen club brantford, beef baron, flesh gordons, gold diggers?
Jasmin18
04-11-2015, 12:18 PM
Brantford club is gross. Its one of those clubs you go to with your friends because its SO bad. Just ugh. Don't.
Solid Gold in Burlington is really nice. The manager stands REALLY close to you when you talk but other than that its good. You don't need a license (just extra house fee.)
Ive never been to Nikkis but I haven't heard good things.
Exxotica
09-01-2015, 08:11 AM
Hi guys, to my knowledge, sex work is legal in Canada now, or at least not strictly enforced like in the States. I have family in Decarie Montreal I plan to visit and want to book a room for a week and do bodyrubs. I know I have to still be careful working out of a hotel, I will switch after 3 days... I am fluent in both French and English....
good plan?
Not interested in stripping or escort work. Just bodyrubs
shanna dior
09-01-2015, 09:52 AM
We're in a bit of a weird place with prostitution because while selling sex is legal, buying it isn't. I don't escort or do body rubs, so I can't speak to how this has affected the industry (ie. if newer ladies are having a harder time getting started or if established ladies are seeing more regulars and minimal new clients), but it's an important clarification regarding the legality in Canada. My advice would be to advertise well in advance and take advance bookings before making any travel arrangements. If nobody bites, maybe it's not worth coming.
Exxotica
09-01-2015, 12:27 PM
We're in a bit of a weird place with prostitution because while selling sex is legal, buying it isn't. I don't escort or do body rubs, so I can't speak to how this has affected the industry (ie. if newer ladies are having a harder time getting started or if established ladies are seeing more regulars and minimal new clients), but it's an important clarification regarding the legality in Canada. My advice would be to advertise well in advance and take advance bookings before making any travel arrangements. If nobody bites, maybe it's not worth coming.
Interesting. Thank you for this info. Do you guys generally advertise the same way we do in the US- backpage, Eros, etc. or are there other specific sites for Canada I should know about?
shanna dior
09-01-2015, 12:53 PM
I think those sites are active up here, but it might depend on the city. You should also look into lyla.com (recommendation board so no negative reviews) and merb.cc (reviews and ads for Montreal and the Maritimes). Again, I don't escort or do body rubs, so might be a good idea to run a search or PM one of the Canadian ladies on here that do. I think there are at least one or two of em.
SuperJa
09-01-2015, 03:37 PM
Interesting. Thank you for this info. Do you guys generally advertise the same way we do in the US- backpage, Eros, etc. or are there other specific sites for Canada I should know about?
Hopefully someone from out east replies, as I don't know much about how it works out there.
However out west virtually all the girls are licensed. If you are licensed and working in a parlor or managed to get an indy license, you are basically free to work. BUT if you are caught without a license even though prostitution is technically legal now, you're going to get hammered for something. I'd advise you to read very carefully as there are some weird new regulations. Advertising isn't legal (although this may just be if parlors etc advertise) and there are distance rules about how close you can work to schools and churches.
It may be technical decriminalization, but we have a very conservative government that would like to see zero women do sex work so don't think it's a free for all up here.
shanna dior
09-01-2015, 03:47 PM
^I'm fairly certain we don't have licensing for sex workers out east, but I've always been curious if the ladies actually get licensed out west. Very interesting stuff. Good thing for Exxotica if she's American, since I can't imagine they hand out licenses to non-Canadians.
Advertising is legal provided the lady is advertising herself -- it's the third-party advertising (ie. by a brothel/massage parlour) that's illegal.
SuperJa
09-01-2015, 05:49 PM
^I'm fairly certain we don't have licensing for sex workers out east, but I've always been curious if the ladies actually get licensed out west. Very interesting stuff. Good thing for Exxotica if she's American, since I can't imagine they hand out licenses to non-Canadians.
Advertising is legal provided the lady is advertising herself -- it's the third-party advertising (ie. by a brothel/massage parlour) that's illegal.
I can't speak for every city, but in Edmonton you definitely want to be licensed. The city license actually even includes a class including info about how to do taxes and safe practices. That's not to say every lady is licensed, but it's a smart decision at the end of the day.
Edmonton has built a very safe system for both providers and patrons- girls working out of parlors/for agencies can call the police without fear of being arrested, clients going to see licensed escorts know they aren't just going to get drugged + robbed or whatever, and most of the girls are working out of spaces that have certain health and safety standards to live up to. It's definitely not perfect, but in our present conservative reality of obviously no woman would ever CHOOSE to be a sex worker, it's pretty close.
shanna dior
09-02-2015, 05:54 AM
^That's fucking awesome. My SO is originally from Edmonton and would love to move back in the next couple of years, so it's nice to know that the industry is so safe and accepted by law enforcement.