Layton advocated ban on lap dancing

John Gilbert "Jack" Layton made headlines in 1995 and 1996 while advocating a ban on lap dancing in Toronto.

"A strip bar is not a petting zoo," Layton said at the time, urging local politicians to outlaw private VIP rooms in strip clubs.

"These are sexual assault parlours and rape cubicles," he said.

A controversial 1994 court ruling opened the doors to "dirty dancing" in strip clubs, which led Layton and former striper Katharine Goldberg to claim that exotic dancers were being sexually assaulted and forced into prostitution.

The former Metro council eventually passed a bylaw banning customers from touching dancers in clubs.

During a national debate after Canada's prostitution laws were struck down in 2010, Layton was asked about his views on prostitution.

"It needs to -- and will, I'm sure -- open up a debate on how we can ensure that women who find themselves involved in prostitution and as sex workers are better protected," he said.

"We have taken the view that aspects of the law need to be changed to protect women."