Looks like Bratina and Merulla and going to get their way with a bit of a crackdown once some licensing is in place. Won't be for another 6,8,12 months but it will happen....
Nicole O'Reilly
The Hamilton Spectator
(Apr 6, 2010)
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.
Councillor Sam Merulla says this proposed bylaw change has been a long time coming. He has been fighting for more clearly-defined bylaws since 2001.
"We don't want to target legitimate aromatherapy businesses," he said, adding that the licensing will legitimize the industry.
Merulla said it angers him to see so-called holistic businesses blatantly advertising massages without repercussions.
"The city needs to be proactive," he said.
Councillor Bob Bratina became involved in this issue when a so-called spa opened up in his neighbourhood.
He said he would watch the business and saw men going in and out and women being dropped off.
"It was obvious what it was," he said.
That particular business has since shut down, but the brazen appearance of such businesses near schools, playgrounds and legitimate businesses is a real problem, Bratina said.
"This kind of action is part and parcel with the drug scene. It is something more than adults consenting to an act behind closed doors."
Nicole O'Reilly
The Hamilton Spectator
(Apr 6, 2010)
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.
Councillor Sam Merulla says this proposed bylaw change has been a long time coming. He has been fighting for more clearly-defined bylaws since 2001.
"We don't want to target legitimate aromatherapy businesses," he said, adding that the licensing will legitimize the industry.
Merulla said it angers him to see so-called holistic businesses blatantly advertising massages without repercussions.
"The city needs to be proactive," he said.
Councillor Bob Bratina became involved in this issue when a so-called spa opened up in his neighbourhood.
He said he would watch the business and saw men going in and out and women being dropped off.
"It was obvious what it was," he said.
That particular business has since shut down, but the brazen appearance of such businesses near schools, playgrounds and legitimate businesses is a real problem, Bratina said.
"This kind of action is part and parcel with the drug scene. It is something more than adults consenting to an act behind closed doors."
