Calgary won't echo Edmonton massage crackdown

[Guest W***ledi*Time]

Nadia Moharib reports for the [I]Calgary Sun[/I], 17 Sept 2011:

[url]http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/09/17/calgary-wont-echo-edmonton-massage-crackdown[/url]

[INDENT]While bylaw officials in Edmonton are looking at flexing the rules on escort agencies and massage parlours, Calgary counterparts say there are no kinks in the system here.

Recommended bylaw changes in the provinceâ??s capital looks at escorts and massage-type workers, which could include anyone who does soft-tissue manipulation using methods like hot stone therapy and reiki.

Workers must all provie they are over 18 and have attended an information session on sexual exploitation before getting a business license.

They are also looking at lowering licence fees applied to massage therapists and workers who do soft tissue-manipulation techniques.

Marc Halat, a Calgary city manager in the department overseeing business licences for massage practitioners, said they met with Edmonton counterparts and concluded rules in place in this city do not need to be amended.

â??We have a bylaw which is working just fine,â? he said.

â??If itâ??s not broken, donâ??t fix it.â?

Here, people applying for licences must be over age 18, a local resident and clear a police check.

Halat said illegal enterprises or those not adhering to high standards of conduct, like common bawdy houses, employing underage workers and doing â??untoward practices,â? are weeded out by imposing stiff penalties along with police investigations.

He said huge implications by way of licence reviews into any concerns as well as penalties, including hefty fines, imposed where warranted are the cityâ??s â??strongest leverage,â? against illegal operations.

In 2011, so far, the city has done more than 50 licence reviews) which led to 25 to 30 massage practitioners facing penalties, like suspensions or having conditions imposed or seeing licences yanked.

There are more than 400 licenced massage practitioners in Calgary.

Halat said measures currently in place are working.

â??Itâ??s just not a problem that is out of hand,â? he said.

â??It is addressed by the police investigations or ourselves â?? consequences will result and the industry knows it.â?

A licence costs about $220, with an annual renewal tab of about half that amount.

Years ago, however, it was about $3,600 for an escort agency licence â?? an amount lowered given deterrence is best accomplished by police and bylaw enforcement rather than by imposing higher costs at the front end, Halat said.

â??There has to be a level playing field,â? he said.[/INDENT]