JessicaPRabbit 100 Report post Posted October 31, 2011 Specific to Edmonton ? Those of us who have worked in a MP in this city are aware that there are a handful of bylaws to follow. It seems most people involved in the industry as a worker or a hobbyist have things they 'know to be fact' when it comes to bylaws. The truth is I can ask the same question to 20 people who have a combined interest of 50 years and get 20 completely different answers, but they all insist they are correct. You see, I made a request of city licensing for a copy of the printed bylaws but instead I received the bylaws for "exotic entertainer'. I called the lady with whom I had been dealing and requested the correct information at which time I was told; "That's as close as it gets, there is nothing printed for the license which bears the title "Personal Services Shop Wholistic Health". After a bit of arguing on the phone with the lady in the city office, she decided to pay me a vist with a member of Vice, who we all know circuit the Mp's regularly for various safety reasons, so that was not a problem. The problem is it is 10 months later and still there is nothing tangible available for me to read over and adhere to. Ladies wait in line at the city business licensing office and make application annually just like every other business; Taxis, Daycares, Retail, Restaurants, Auctions etc. It is my opinion that if I were to apply for a license for any other business I would be able to request and receive the information. I would like to know if any MP has been fined for 'bylaw infractions'. Bottom line my question is: Does anyone in the city of Edmonton have access to official bylaws pertaining to MP's? Any information or input is appreciated. JessicaPRabbit Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JessicaPRabbit 100 Report post Posted November 5, 2011 I'm not trying to bump this up for any other reason than to say; Based on zero replies so far, I'm thinking it's safe to assume my thoughts may be true, that there are in fact no officially written/enforceable bylaws for the city. Rather disturbing, but that's just my opinion. JPR Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fortunateone 156618 Report post Posted November 7, 2011 I don't think mps and mp attendants are going to be fined for bylaw infractions because the bylaw is that they need to be licensed, and the workers need individual licenses. So if you operate an mp without a license, you will get a bylaw infraction/fine. If you operate as an independent escort in the city without a license, you will get a bylaw infraction/fine. If your mps employees are working without their own licenses, you (or they) will get a bylaw infraction fine.. I am not sure what set of bylaws you may be interested in trying to read, as the conditions themselves (you must have a business license issued by the city to run a business) IS what cities sell and what cities are looking for you to have. Above that, there really isn't anything to do with the day to day operations I wouldn't think. See if you can find anything on retail store business licenses as far as "rules" go and I don't think you'll find anything either, other than the business needs a license, if they run their store without one or dont renew on time, there are fines involved. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JessicaPRabbit 100 Report post Posted November 7, 2011 Well, the enforcers would have us believe that there are 'rules' and that the bylaws are written, I know because I've inquired. Yes, the simple matter of being licensed is a primary issue but there are lots of other little things that can cause bylaw fines to be imposed. For example, hours of operation. It has been my personal experience that bylaw will sit outside a MP after 11pm to see if any male leaves the building. Supposedly there is a bylaw in place that restricts any non licensed person from being inside the establishment between the hours of 11pm and 7am. Also, leaving things 'in view' that may give a person walking through, knowledge of activity that is not truly spelled out as permitted. If a session is not in progress, and a door to a studio room is open, we have been told that if evidence such as lube or condoms (even the empty wrapper of a condom), any kind of toy that might be specific to this type of play ...anything left out in view will result in a bylaw infraction being imposed. You see, I received a rather unofficially written email from the city bylaw office earlier this year directing me to delete offensive images from my site by a specific date or I would be fined. I wrote back to this person asking for clarification on a number of things but never heard back from her. Long story short, after finally meeting with this lady, she gave me a printed set of bylaws for the Exotic Entertainer license, which still baffles me. When I asked her what I was supposed to do with these I was told, once I had read through the bylaws pertaining to a different occupation, I should be able to derive what was allowable or not permitted under a license of a completely different nature. I told her at the time that made no sense, it was a guessing game at best and she may as well have brought me the bylaws for a Zoo Keeper to derive what was expected of those who carry the Wholistic Practitioners license. I'm not trying to argue that 'retail' does or does not come with rules to follow ...I'm simply saying I've been told by the bylaw office that there are fines that can be imposed on a number of issues but there is no information available to know how to avoid these fines. This simply does not make any sense. JPR Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andee 220524 Report post Posted November 11, 2011 From what I understand from what's in the news, this has been an ongoing issue for the past year. Perhaps these links might help. All you need to do is go down to Edmonton City Hall and where you can obtain a list of by-laws (if any) for MPs. From what I gather, they were working on drafting by-laws, so you need to find out if they were passed and when they will come into effect. Sometimes it's best to go straight to the horse's mouth so to speak, than to rely on information which may be misleading, out-of-date or inaccurate. Good luck to you. http://www.cerb.ca/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=65352&highlight=Edmonton http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2011/04/13/edmonton-massage-parlour-bylaw.html http://www.edmontonsun.com/2011/09/22/proposed-bylaw-differentiates-between-rubs-or-health-enhancement http://www.nhpcanada.org/files/NHPCA_SubmissionToCityOfEdmonon-9Sep2010.pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JessicaPRabbit 100 Report post Posted November 12, 2011 Thanks you Angela for your advice, I am due to renew my license and will be in the city office next week. Like last year, I will ask again for the list of bylaws. I'm hoping they've put something together. It only seems fair. Be Well and Thanks again! JPR From what I understand from what's in the news, this has been an ongoing issue for the past year.Perhaps these links might help. All you need to do is go down to Edmonton City Hall and where you can obtain a list of by-laws (if any) for MPs. From what I gather, they were working on drafting by-laws, so you need to find out if they were passed and when they will come into effect. Sometimes it's best to go straight to the horse's mouth so to speak, than to rely on information which may be misleading, out-of-date or inaccurate. Good luck to you. http://www.cerb.ca/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=65352&highlight=Edmonton http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2011/04/13/edmonton-massage-parlour-bylaw.html http://www.edmontonsun.com/2011/09/22/proposed-bylaw-differentiates-between-rubs-or-health-enhancement http://www.nhpcanada.org/files/NHPCA_SubmissionToCityOfEdmonon-9Sep2010.pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fortunateone 156618 Report post Posted November 12, 2011 I have a hard time believing someone has actually put down in writing that the presence of certain items will lead to a fine. The presence of those particular items may lead to a federal crime (operating a bawdy house for example), but for bylaws again it comes down to do you have an escort license or mp license or mp attendent license. If you do not, they will fine you for working without a license. I have heard that the mps have hour restrictions for operation. If a massage parlour with a valid city license chooses to operate after hours, they will get a fine, just the same as a bar or nightclub would. I believe all businesses are subject to city bylaws for all kinds of eventuality. So below is about 18 pages of stuff regarding licensing for independent escorts and agencies. Within that is given the reasons for fines that may be issued to licensed and unlicensed businesses. Within there are some of the things that licensed operators are required to do. For example, ads must include the operator's license #, failing to do so probably results in a fine. http://www.edmonton.ca/bylaws_licences/C12452.pdf Massage license info. Even if the mp provides sexual services, they usually get an mp license of some sort, and the employees need one afaik. Again, within all this sort of information are the rules and guidelines, so you have to just understand that failing to comply with the rules laid out is what you can be fined for. You should click on the link for the copy of the massage practicioner bylaw as I cannot link it here. http://www.edmonton.ca/bylaws_licences/licences_permits/massage-licence.aspx In that bylaw 10396 it states on page 2 this: This Bylaw does not apply to: (a) a person who carries on a business or occupation which is limited exclusively to massaging of the feet, hands, head or face; or (b) massages administered as part of a skin care treatment by an aesthetician or beautician, where the massage is for the purposes of product application and is a minor or incidental and secondary part of the treatment; or (S.4, Bylaw No. 11168, January 23, 1996) © massages administered by medical or therapeutic professionals, who are registered or otherwise entitled to practise under the laws of the Province of Alberta, and whose professional qualifications and registration are in good standing. All of those things mentioned are legit massage practises, so this bylaw must by default be the one applied to sexual service massage parlour operations. In spite of that, further into the reading you can see specific references to what kind of training employees are supposed to have. Which contradicts that quote above, if you ask me, either the bylaw is for professional massage therapists or it is not, and if it is, why is there another set of bylaws for the a, b and c above? Anyway, on page 6 you will see reference to the hours of operation. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andee 220524 Report post Posted November 22, 2011 Interesting read: http://www.cerb.ca/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=71890 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
