from www.610cktb.com – Killing an ant with a sledgehammer.

That’s how the head of the Adult Entertainment Association of Canada sees a Niagara proposal to have exotic dancers go through fingerprint scans when clocking in to work.

The idea is being considered by the Niagara Regional Police’s licensing committee. They pick up debate on the issue Thursday.

Police say fingerprinting could stop identity theft & underage stripping. Right now, exotic dancers have to go to a police station to be photographed for a licence each year, costing $150.

The fingerprinting rule could also apply to others who get licenses from St. Catharines, like cabbies & bus drivers.

Adult Entertainment Association Executive Director Tim Lambrinos says fingerprinting is an invasion of privacy that could create a labour shortage.

Lambrinos says the plan is “heavy handed” & unjustified without a breach of the Criminal Code.

He also worries about the Pandora’s box of oversight rules the practice could open up. He says it “borders on the War Measures Act”.

In Niagara, 8 clubs employ 1000 strippers.