Press Coverage: Massage Parlour Bylaws After PCEPA

The Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA) made it illegal for any business including massage parlours and strip clubs to hire employees to sell sexual services. Prior to PCEPA, massage parlours that offered 'extras' or 'happy endings' were subject to enforcement of the "keeping a common bawdyhouse" law, which was struck down by the Supreme Court of Canada in Bedford v. Canada in 2013. In Canada, generally, massage parlours, holistic spas, or "health enhancement centres have been regulated by municipal bylaws with rules about locks on doors, dim lighting, 'uniforms' etc. Since PCEPA, several municipalities debated and made changes to city bylaws pertaining to adult businesses, particularly erotic massage parlours.

City Walkr/Flickr. Creative Commons (by-sa)

Edmonton, Alberta Massage Parlour Bylaws

• Adult service worker advocates say Edmonton business bylaw could threaten privacy
  Global News, March 21, 2023
• Councillor wants Edmonton to consider permanent closure of body rub centres: Sex workers say motion could push them back to unsafe conditions on the street
  CBC News, May 11, 2020
• Councillors contemplate 'exit strategy' on licensing body rub parlours: Advocates say establishments exploit women and city should have no involvement
  CBC News, September 18, 2019
• 'They do so much to keep us girls safe': Body rub worker calls on city to maintain licensing – City's harm reduction approach to body rub parlours could change
  CBC News, October 15, 2019
• Body rub task force works but women still get hurt, advocate says: 'They have no way to hold their perpetrator accountable'
  CBC News, June 20, 2018
• Edmonton's body rub parlours getting safer, report shows: Task force set up in 2016 has seen 99-per-cent compliance from industry
  CBC News, June 15, 2018
• Edmonton council advised to lower fees for adult massage parlours: 'It is illegal to buy sex. When our city licenses them, we say OK,' says body rub centre opponent
  CBC News, November 27, 2017
• Advocates push for mandatory identification for men at body rub parlours
  Edmonton Journal, June 19, 2017
• Edmonton councillors look to improve safety for erotic massage workers: Staff asked to study better ways to have parlour customers identify themselves
  CBC News, June 19, 2017
• Edmonton to consider lower fees, enhanced screening for erotic massage operators: Changes include reduced business licence fees and deeper police record checks for owners
  CBC News, June 16, 2017
• Edmonton city committee proposes new rules for body rub parlours: The 26 recommendations focus on safety for those working in the industry
  CBC News, February 22, 2016
• Mayor Iveson called 'pimp' for city's complacency in regulating body rub parlours: Controversy over body rub parlours heats up at city hall
  CBC News, May 26, 2015
• Body rub task force urges city to limit clustering of parlours: Some concern current bylaws and licensing costs may push body rub centres underground
  CBC News, May 22, 2015

Edmonton Massage Parlour Bylaws Prior to PCEPA

• Council blocks new body rub parlours despite warnings from administration: Administration says moratorium could drive sex trade underground
  CBC News, October 22, 2014
• Councillor wants new moratorium on body rub parlours
  CBC News, October 9, 2014
• Rise in escorts may lead to extended body rub parlour hours
  CBC News, March 18, 2014
• Moratorium on body rub parlours ends
  CBC News, February 1, 2014
• Edmonton places moratorium on body rub shops: City wants to examine work conditions, recruitment, safety of sex workers
  CBC News, June 19, 2013
• City council to vote on body rub parlour moratorium: City council to vote on body rub parlour moratorium
  CBC News, June 10, 2013
• City rejects 300-metre buffer between erotic massages and schools: Buffer would drive industry underground, councillors fear
  CBC News, November 5, 2012
• Body rub centres may close earlier
  CBC News, August 22, 2012
• Committee agrees to restrict adult massage parlour hours
  CBC News, April 25, 2012
• City to consider restrictions on 'body rub centres'
  CTV News, March 18, 2012
• City looks at bylaw regulating massage parlours
  CBC News, April 13, 2011
• City of Edmonton ponders massage parlour bylaw
  Global News, April 13, 2011
• Business owners to fight massage parlour licence
  CBC News, February 22, 2010

Massage sign. Google

Hamilton, Ontario Massage Parlour Bylaws

• City struggles to crack down on illegal erotic massage parlours: The parlours are 'proliferating,' city officials say. But new prostitution laws have made enforcement harder
  CBC News, February 16, 2016
• Body rub parlour operator objects to fee hike
  CBC News, April 3, 2013
• Hamilton massage parlour rubbed wrong way by city's fee hike: Increased fees used to fund hunt for illegal parlours, city says
  CBC News, January 24, 2013

Ottawa, Ontario Massage Parlour Bylaws

• Possibly more than what's on the menu: Several of the 17 licensed "body-rub" parlours in Ottawa seem to be operating in the shadow of the law
  Capital Current, February 7, 2015

Regina, Saskatchewan Massage Parlour Bylaws

• Massage parlour opponents speak out at Regina city hall: Most delegates wanted an outright ban, but some support as well for new regulatory proposals
  CBC News, June 13, 2019
• New rules for Regina massage parlours focus on protecting vulnerable sex workers: City recommending new zoning bylaw and licensing program
  CBC News, June 5, 2019
• Regina city planner outlines possible new rules for body rub parlours, seeks feedback: Zoning, safety, and licencing all up for debate
  CBC News, March 7, 2019
• From 'massage parlour' to 'body rub parlour': Regina mulls new labels and regulations for industry: Options include increased enforcement, licencing system
  CBC News, December 5, 2018
• Massage parlours also a concern, Premier Brad Wall says: Similar to strip shows in bars, massage parlours connected to exploitation, premier says
  CBC News, March 26, 2015
• Exclusive: Massage parlours are safe and professional, one owner says: Prostitution is a 'profession, like any other': brothel owner
  CBC News, March 26, 2014
• Saskatchewan to make stripping illegal in bars again: Premier Brad Wall says he made a mistake allowing semi-nude dancing in bars
  CBC News, March 25, 2015
• Don Verstraeten, bar owner, 'shocked' by Saskatchewan's plans to ban stripping again: Codette Hotel has featured strippers since Jan. 2014
  CBC News, March 25, 2015
• Exclusive: Regina massage parlour worker fears for her safety: Prostitute says she was often beaten by johns
  CBC News, March 25, 2014
• Exclusive: Massage parlour business booming in Regina
  CBC News, March 24, 2014

St John's, Newfoundland-Labrador Massage Parlour Bylaws

• Ban on massage parlours should end, says St. John's councillor: Maggie Burton plans to introduce a motion to lift a moratorium put in place 4 years ago
  CBC News, September 24, 2019
• Advocating from the shadows, St. John's sex workers have ideas for a safer industry: Cameras, increased security and client database among wanted items for better sex trade
  CBC News, March 26, 2019
• Unregulated St. John's massage parlours a concern for police chief: Massage parlour owner implores 'stop making us out to be the bad guys here'
  CBC News, March 12, 2019

Massage sign. Google

Toronto, Ontario Massage Parlour Bylaws

• How the laws make sex work less safe: Canada's prostitution laws are supposed to protect sex workers. Advocates say they're doing the opposite
  The Local, September 30, 2021
• Toronto stops enforcing bylaw prohibiting locked doors in massage parlours: Decision is welcome news for advocacy group
  Toronto.com, March 29, 2021
• Toronto Allows Sex Workers at Body Rub Parlours to Lock Their Doors: Previously, sex workers were penalized for locking their doors, putting them at risk of robberies, assaults, and even death, they say
  VICE News, September 16, 2020
• Petition urges changes to Toronto body rub parlours after woman murdered: Current bylaw prohibits sex workers from locking their doors
  Toronto.com, March 3, 2020
• Murder at 'erotic' North York spa prompts safety cries from advocates: Group wants bylaw forcing unlocked doors in rooms to be changed
  Toronto.com, February 28, 2020
• Should Toronto allow more body rub parlours? New report suggests exploring end to decades-old cap: Recommendation sparks debate over sex trafficking, workers' rights at licensing committee meeting
  CBC News, May 21, 2019
• What's Toronto the Good got against sex work? The city of Toronto can't seem to overcome its long-standing bias against sex
  NOW Magazine, April 9, 2019
• Sex trafficking is rampant in Toronto's city-licensed spas, massage parlours, activists say: City's licensing and standards department conducting review of issues, regulations
  CBC News, April 10, 2018
• 1 in 4 Toronto 'holistic centres' offer erotic massages, auditor general says: Toronto permits 25 body rub parlours but has no cap for holistic centres
  CBC News, October 27, 2017

Toronto Massage Parlour Bylaws Prior to PCEPA

• Toronto collects nearly $1M per year from body rub licences
  CBC News, August 22, 2012
• Massage parlour busted in residential building
  CBC News, February 17, 2012

Metro Vancouver Massage Parlour Bylaws

• Richmond massage parlour bylaws under scrutiny: City council voted 7-2 last week to increase fines for non-compliant body-rub studios
  Richmond News, March 4, 2024
• Richmond body rub studio crackdown applauded by councillor Kash Heed
  Daily Hive, February 14, 2024
• Safety committee votes to continue allowing raids on Richmond massage parlours
  CityNews Vancouver, February 13, 2024
• As Richmond eyes harsher penalties for massage parlours, critic fears it will drive workers underground: The City of Richmond proposes ramping up bylaw enforcement on body rub parlours that could see the businesses' licences suspended or revoked
  Vancouver Sun, February 11, 2024
• 'Exploiting these women for a profit': Richmond city councillor wants crackdown on illegal massage parlours
  CTV News, February 10, 2024
• Raids on Richmond massage parlours putting sex workers in unsafe situations, says advocate
  CityNews Vancouver, February 9, 2024
• Inspections drive Richmond sex work into 'dangerous locations' – Advocacy group: City says bylaw inspectors are 'trained and experienced' when going to massage parlours
  Richmond News, February 9, 2024
• Letters: KPU criminologist fears council motion further marginalizes sex workers: A letter writer questions whether Coun. Kash Heed's background in policing is clouding his judgment
  Richmond News, December 8, 2023
• Sex worker advocates push back against attempt to rid Richmond of massage parlours: 'Sex work isn't a moral or ethical issue to be debated or outlawed, it's a labour issue and should be treated as such": Pace Society
  Richmond News, December 7, 2023
• New West takes action to secure safety of sex workers: Involvement of lived experience key to New Westminster's initiative for sex worker safety
  New West Record, November 28, 2023
• Councillor calls for crackdown on licencing of sex work businesses in Richmond: Richmond city bylaws are known to have the most "stringent" regulations of body-rub establishments in the province
  Richmond News, November 22, 2023
• Vancouver man gets conditional sentence for advertising woman's sexual services: The man met the woman on Instagram in 2019 where he convinced her to provide sexual services in a Vancouver massage parlour
  Richmond News, April 5, 2022
• Richmond massage parlour workers defend safety of their work environment: Human trafficking isn't the problem public discourse makes it out to be: SWAN
  Richmond News, February 9, 2022
• Angry Richmond wife reports massage parlour to city after husband comes home with sexually transmitted infection: The woman claimed her husband came home with a sexually transmitted infection from a city centre business
  Richmond News, January 11, 2022
• Richmond review of massage parlours delayed: A Richmond review of "body rub" bylaws is expected back to council within a few months, after a year's delay
  Richmond News, March 26, 2021
• Sex and the city: Richmond 'body rub' policies scrutinized: Everyone deserves a safe work environment including sex workers, say advocates
  Richmond News, February 6, 2020

Metro Vancouver Massage Parlour Bylaws Prior to PCEPA

• Unhappy ending for 2 Metro Vancouver massage parlours
  CTV News, Occtober 4, 2011
• Massage parlours safer than the street: expert
  CTV News, June 26, 2011
• Vancouver considers overhaul of massage parlour licensing
  CTV News, June 25, 2011
• Former massage parlour prostitute speaks out: A woman who says she used to work as a prostitute in a high-end Richmond massage parlour has shared her troubling story with CTV News
  CTV News, June 24, 2011
• RCMP investigating massage parlour in posh Richmond hotel
  CTV News, June 23, 2011
• Your tax dollars may be funding sex: B.C.'s watchdog for acupuncturists is investigating a Richmond clinic after a CTV hidden-camera report discovered that the facility was offering medical receipts for sexual services
  CTV News, June 22, 2011
• B.C. massage parlours raided
  Globe and Mail, December 9, 2006

Waterloo Region, Ontario Massage Parlour Bylaws

• 6 spa owners in Guelph charged for bylaw infractions after police noticed online ads for sexual services: Police note not all holistic spas linked to sex work
  CBC News, February 28, 2026
• Guelph police charge 6 'holistic' spas for advertising 'sexual services'
  City News, February 24, 2026
• Six holistic spas in Guelph charged following eight-month investigation: Police say a total of 40 by-law charges were laid following the investigation
  Guelph Today, February 24, 2026
• 40 bylaw charges laid in Guelph Police investigation into holistic spas
  CTV News, February 24, 2026
• Holistic spas in Guelph face multiple charges after advertising for 'sexual services' online
  Waterloo Record, February 26, 2026
• Woman charged in human trafficking investigation at Cambridge spa: A 45-year-old Cambridge woman was charged for allegedly profiting from sexual services at her spa and human trafficking, with a man also charged
  Cambridge Times, April 11, 2024
• Police raid Cambridge spa as part of human trafficking investigation: A spa on McGovern Drive was raided this morning
  Cambridge Today, April 11, 2024
• Police raid Cambridge, Ont. spa as part of human trafficking investigation
  CTV News, April 11, 2024
• Cambridge man and woman arrested following human trafficking investigation
  City News, April 11, 2024
• Police in human trafficking investigation execute search warrants at Cambridge spa and home: Police believe elements of human trafficking happening while business has been open
  CBC News, April 11, 2024
• Waterloo Regional Police Charge Two in Connection to Human Trafficking Investigation in Cambridge
  Waterloo Regional Police, April 11, 2024

Winnipeg, Manitoba Massage Parlour Bylaws

City of Winnipeg Administrative Report: Strategies and Tools to Enhance Neighbourhood Liveability via the Doing Business in Winnipeg By-law — Problematic Business Activities, January 19, 2022
"The recommended changes to the Doing Business in Winnipeg (DBIW) By-Law 91/2008 will repeal the following categories from the By-law: Body Rub Parlours, Body Rub Practitioners, Escorts, Independent Escort Agencies, and Escort Agencies…

• Winnipeg scraps adult-business licences as sex workers, anti-trafficking advocates unite — for different reasons
  Capital Current, January 19, 2022
• City takes step toward ending escort, body rub parlour licensing
  Winnipeg Free Press, January 19, 2022
• Sex workers, advocates at odds over pulling escort, body rub licences: City to vote next week on whether to stop licensing adult-oriented businesses
  CBC News, January 19, 2022
• Winnipeg moves step closer to cutting ties with body rub parlours and escort agencies
  CTV News, January 19, 2022
• Vote to change Winnipeg bylaw would cost rub parlours, escort agencies their licences: 'Licensing these places did not prevent victimization,' councillor says
  CBC News, January 14, 2022
• Report recommends Winnipeg stop requiring licences from body rub parlours
  CTV News, January 14, 2022
• City of Winnipeg to study sex trade after bylaw changes scrapped
  CTV News, June 17, 2021
• Critics attack proposed changes to bylaws governing Winnipeg's body rub parlours: 'The City of Winnipeg is a pimp,' says advocate for exploited women and girls
  CBC News, June 16, 2021
• City of Winnipeg looking at licensing rules around sex work
  CTV News, June 14, 2021
• Police bust Winnipeg massage parlour, accuse owners of luring women into sex work with lies: A 48-year-old man and 41-year-old woman face charges of procuring people to provide sexual services
  CBC News, January 30, 2020