Proposed rules see Edmonton escorts, body-rub parlours subject to greater restriction

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[url]http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Proposed+licensing+plan+puts+Edmonton+forefront+regulating+erotic/5408254/story.html[/url]

EDMONTON - Proposed new rules for escort agencies and body-rub parlours will put Edmonton at Canadaâ??s forefront for regulating erotic businesses, the cityâ??s chief licensing officer says.

Under recommended bylaw changes released Thursday, escorts and body-rub workers will need to take a sexual exploitation information session and prove theyâ??re over 18 before receiving a business licence.

Legitimate massage practitioners would be regulated separately from the steamy side of the field, with a lower fee and no more need for police checks.

The city also wants to form a sex-industry enforcement team, similar to the group inspecting bars and nightclubs, that could include police, bylaw, health, employment and immigration, border services and community members.

â??This is going to be leading edge. I have colleagues in Vancouver interested in whatâ??s going on, people in Calgary interested in whatâ??s going on,â? Randy Kirillo said.

â??You can create laws. Part of this is dealing with social issues â?¦ I think thatâ??s where weâ??re on the forefront. Also, weâ??re acknowledging whatâ??s going on.â?

He expects the sexual exploitation course, the only one he knows about in Canada, would last two or three hours and cover such issues as employment standards and human trafficking.

Police would be able to recommend to Kirillo whether he should give escort agencies and exotic entertainment agencies licences, based primarily on whether those in charge have a history of violence.

The Ontario Court of Appeal still hasnâ??t ruled on a case that successfully challenged the constitutionality of laws against keeping a bawdy house, pimping and soliciting in public, but Kirillo said that isnâ??t the issue right now.

â??Weâ??re not licensing prostitution. Weâ??re licensing an adult entertainment and erotic industry.â?

The city now licences 1,057 massage practitioners and 594 massage centres.

Police estimate there are about 40 sexual body-rub parlours in the city.

Roger Murray, an accredited massage therapist since 1995, said new rules for his business would be great.

â??For over 16 years, each year I have had to go downtown to get a record check that shows I have not been caught prostituting myself or selling drugs. You would think they would have figured it out,â? he said.

â??The public is pretty aware that massage parlours are a front for prostitution. Itâ??s nice that the lawmakers are finally realizing that there are legitimate health-care providers out there.â?

Murray, owner of Healing Arts Massage Therapy in Old Strathcona, said police checks cost $30, plus parking and lost income.

â??Itâ??s a useless waste of my time â?¦ It has no bearing on the people who come to see me, it hasnâ??t reduced the actual number of massage parlours in town.â?

Coun. Ben Henderson, who asked for a review of the industry, said he thinks the proposals are a step in the right direction.

While he admitted thereâ??s no perfect solution, he said itâ??s hard to regulate an activity with a murky legal status.

â??If itâ??s going to exist, we need to be able to do what we do with any other business â?? that it fits in, that itâ??s not causing problems for others, that itâ??s safe,â? he said.

â??Itâ??s a more honest approach than pretending it doesnâ??t exist.â?

The changes are part of a proposed overhaul to the business licensing bylaw that would also control outlets serving alcohol based on whether they allow minors, such as restaurants, rather than whether they allow dancing.

That would put the same controls on bars and nightclubs â?? including requirements for security, noise and first-aid plans â?? while ending the need for police scrutiny of restaurant licence applications.

As well, the revised bylaw would spare vendors at farmers markets and festivals from buying business licences that cost them hundreds of dollars and eat up their profits, Kirillo said.

â??We were in the weird situation of having grannies selling pies at the market â?¦ (where) there would be $8 left for granny.â?

The issue will be discussed next Wednesday by councilâ??s executive committee.