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City of Edmonton ponders massage parlour bylaw

The city is looking at creating a new bylaw and an enforcement team that would put Edmonton at the forefront of regulating Canadian erotic massage parlours.

The proposed bylaw would cover people and businesses that "touch or stimulate" clients in ways that aren't a health enhancement or medical treatment.

The rules might include banning under-age customers, medical and criminal record checks, higher licence fees and planning restrictions, according to a city report.

At the same time, officials are also considering creating a group which could feature planning inspectors, police, Occupational Health and Safety, Alberta Health and Immigration Canada to keep an eye on these facilities.

Kate Quinn, executive director of the Prostitution Awareness and Action Foundation of Edmonton, called the scheme "a bold step in the right direction."

People in the field have been waiting for such a move since a massage bylaw was first introduced in 1994, she said Wednesday.

"We must not wait on this. We have waited 17 years for this review," she said.

"We cannot hide the fact that there is dangerous and exploitative activity happening."

Council's executive committee approved a motion to have staff draw up the bylaw, which could be ready by the end of the year.

Quinn hopes the enforcement team deals with such issues as human trafficking of sex trade workers, alternative job or school options for people who want to leave the business and labour rights.

"The city has a regulatory role, because this is where it happens. Prostitution in Canada is not illegal, so it's left to the city to regulate any businesses where prostitution occurs."

But chief licensing officer Randy Kirillo said the proposed rules would divide authentic practitioners with credentials or membership in a legitimate association from others who touch customers for money.

The bylaw wouldn't allow illegal activity to happen, he said.

"Some people are asking cities to regulate the sex trade, and we're unable to because it's contrary to the Criminal Code. We're trying to take baby steps in the right direction," he said.

"We don't licence prostitution."

Although an Ontario court has overturned laws against keeping a bawdy house and living on the avails of prostitution, that ruling is on hold until an appeal is decided.