prostitution in canada

Body Rubs and Massage Parlours

 

Body Rub Parlours (also known as “massage parlours” and “spas”)

 

Body rub parlours are licensed by the City of Toronto.  The City limits the number of parlours that can be licensed (at the moment this is 25).  The establishment and the attendants must obtain licenses.  Despite being licensed, many services that are routinely offered at body-rub establishments can be punished under the bawdy house sections of the criminal code.

 

Body Rub includes the kneading, manipulating, rubbing, massaging, touching, or stimulating, by any means, of a person’s body or part thereof but does not include medical or therapeutic treatment.

 

Licensing requirements for attendants:

1.  Letter from Body Rub establishment indicating that one has been hired to work there.

2.  Medical Examination – to be deemed free of communicable diseases

3.   Police Check – to determine that criminal charges

      (mainly prostitution related charges)

4.  Payment of Licensing Fee

License includes photograph, attendant’s full name, and name of establishment that the attendant has been hired by.

 

Owners get paid a door fee based on the time requested (ie. 30 mins, 45 mins, 1 hour)

Clients must pay the door fee prior to be shown to their room.  Clients may then meet the attendants, but they cannot discuss services with the attendants prior to choosing their attendant.  Service negotiation happens after the client has chosen an attendant, in the room.  Attendants get paid by the client in the room based on type of service requested.

Attendants generally offer a variety of types of massage (with increasing levels of contact and nudity).  Some attendants chose to offer services above and beyond erotic massage and manual release.  The owner supplies the work environment, supplies (except condoms and lube), and advertising.

 

Although owners can be charged under the criminal code, they are more often charged with municipal fines for such things are operating outside of business hours (before 8 am or after 1 am), noise complaints, and signs being larger than allowed.  Body rub parlours cannot have locks on the doors to rooms.