Sex workers in Montreal are going on strike the day before the Canadian Grand Prix to demand improved working conditions. The strike, organized by the Sex Work Autonomous Committee, is timed to coincide with the Grand Prix weekend because of the significant influx of visitors the race brings to the city's clubs. The committee described this period as 'the most lucrative period of the year for our boss.'
Record Attendance and Strike Timing
According to The Athletic, a record 352,000 fans attended the Canadian Grand Prix across the entire weekend in 2025. The strike is scheduled to take place on the same day as the sprint race and qualifying at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Demands of the Sex Work Autonomous Committee
The committee is calling for better conditions in strip clubs and massage parlours, official recognition of sex workers as workers, and access to government benefits. They also aim to end the bar fees that strippers and dancers must pay for the right to perform on stage. Additionally, the group seeks to eliminate 'scheduling discrimination' based on 'race, gender identity, age or size,' and to decriminalize sex work across Canada.
Montreal stripper Celeste Ivy told the Montreal Gazette: 'Since we’re not salaried employees, we don’t have access to the protections that other workers usually have.'
Canadian Grand Prix History and Future
The Canadian Grand Prix has been held in Montreal since 1978, and Formula 1 recently reached an agreement with the governments of Canada and Quebec to keep the race in Montreal through 2035.
Oscar Piastri's Performance
Australian driver Oscar Piastri and McLaren have enjoyed a resurgence after a difficult start to the season. Piastri secured the team's first podium of the season at Suzuka, finishing second to Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli. He followed that with another second-place finish in the sprint race at Miami and finished third in the actual race behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris. Piastri will hope to continue his strong form in Quebec next weekend.
However, Montreal has not been a happy hunting ground for the Melbourne racing star, as he has yet to finish on the podium there. His best result came in the 2025 race, where he finished fourth after qualifying fourth. Piastri has failed to improve his starting grid position in his three visits to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, including a fourth-place finish from third, a fifth-place finish from fourth, and an eleventh-place finish from eighth. Despite this, McLaren's race pace looked strong in Miami, and Piastri will have another opportunity to achieve his first podium in Canada.
