TORONTO, June 10 (UPI) -- There is a shortage of foreign exotic dancers in Canada and strip club owners in Ontario are shopping for a consultant to help on the immigration front.

The Adult Entertainment Association of Canada, which represents 53 strip clubs in Ontario, has been at loggerheads with the federal department of Citizenship and Immigration since 2004, the Toronto Star said.


That year, under a Liberal government, 423 foreign strippers got work permits or extensions but since the Conservatives formed a minority government in 2006, that number fell to 17, the Star said.

A year ago, Canadian Immigration Minister Diane Finley unveiled changes to immigration law to "prevent situations where temporary workers in Canada, including strippers, may be abused, exploited or possibly become victims of human trafficking."

Meanwhile, Tim Lambrinos, executive director of the association, told the newspaper consultants will be asked to explore such options as student visas, as foreign students are allowed to work for 20 hours a week in any job.

"We're looking for an above-board alternative pathway," he told the Star. "The legal way is being ignored, so we need to get creative."