Holistics licence aimed at curbing rub parlours

It is no secret that illicit body rub parlours often use holistic businesses as a front.

The City of Hamilton is hoping to curb that trend by licensing holistic businesses, including aromatherapy and reiki.

Right now the city's body rub bylaw only allows for three body rub parlours across the city, said Marty Hazell, the city's director of parking and bylaw services. But holistic businesses aren't licenced and therefore do not face inspections from bylaw officers.

While the exact details of the bylaw are not yet nailed down, Hazell said staff want approval from council before moving forward. A report, with the aim of creating an alternative massage establishment licence within six months, goes before a committee of council today.

The city has already held two public consultation meetings with stakeholders. One participant, Marianne Bogoslowski, is an aromatherapist registered and insured through the Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists. Through her Aromacare business, she works in long-term care facilities and since 2005 with staff at Oakville Hospital twice a week.

The problem posed by illegal body rub parlours is very frustrating for Bogoslowski.

"Aromatherapy is such a really healing massage, it's such a disgrace for our profession to have body rub parlours call themselves aromatherapy," she said.

For many of her fellow professionals, the cost of a $200 licence is daunting, but Bogoslowski is in favour of the licence so long as the city and police don't abuse the power.