AN IMMIGRATION scheme to “fast-track” exotic dancers into Canada to make good a domestic shortage has been scrapped.

The “stripper-gate” scandal broke when it emerged that the Canadian Immigration Minister, a woman, had granted residency to a Romanian stripper who worked on her re-election campaign last summer.

Members of the Opposition demanded the minister’s resignation and denounced the visa scheme that allows strippers into the country as skilled professionals. They accused the ruling Liberal Party of “pimping for the sex trade”.

The Government decided in 1998 that there was a critical shortage of exotic dancers and set up a system to fast-track work visas for strippers. By last autumn, 2,288 exotic dancers had received work permits, even though police say that many become involved in prostitution and organised crime.

Public anger erupted when it emerged that Judy Sgro, the Immigration Minister, had intervened to grant a Romanian stripper temporary residence.

Alina Balaican, 25, said that she had sought the minister’s help when her work permit expired. She went to the minister’s office and ended up volunteering for her re-election campaign. Aides told Ms Sgro about the case and, without ever meeting her, she granted a temporary resident permit on humanitarian grounds. Weeks after the permit was granted, Balaican was fined $250 for letting herself be “touched” by a patron at a Toronto strip club.

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