REGINA — Premier Brad Wall says the government is reversing its decision to allow licensed strip clubs in the province.
He says he believes it was a mistake to change the province's provincial liquor laws last year to allow partial stripping in bars.
"If by this decision we have inadvertently allowed for even a marginal increase in the chance for human trafficking, it's the wrong decision," he told reporters on Wednesday.
He added that strip clubs are linked to organized crime and he is concerned about sexual exploitation in the province.
"Let's make sure we're not allowing any opportunity for organized crime to increase its footprint," he said.
Wall said he wants business owners to know the change is coming so they don't apply for licences from municipal authorities.
He said it will take a few weeks to reverse the regulation.
"Bars that are currently bringing in dance groups now will know that this change is coming," he said.
In January, Regina city councillors voted to reject a proposal for the city's first licensed strip club. The concept had previously been approved by the city's planning commission.
"I'm sure there will be people who are critical of our decision and some who will be supportive," Wall said. "We needed to confirm that we think we made a mistake and we're fixing it."
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