City of Edmonton Changes "Massage Parlour" Bylaw

Over the past year, NHPC has been in discussions with the City of Edmonton on the revision of their "Massage Parlour Regulation" and had proposed that the City of Edmonton adopt NHPC's "collaborative model". In the past, NHPC members have been lumped in the same category as exotic dancers and escorts when applying for business licenses.

The Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC) works with municipal administrators and elected officials to ensure the advancement of professions represented by the NHPC.

NHPC has been proposing that municipalities across Canada adopt a "Collaborative Model for Business Licensing of Natural Health Care". This municipal "collaborative model" provides the best possible public protection by capturing the recognition of all professionals working as natural health practitioners—including those who are members of a regulatory college and those who are members of a municipally recognized professional association.

Additionally, as it should be, the "collaborative model" removes municipalities from the responsibility of "credentialing" professionals and places that responsibility with regulatory bodies or associations.

To date (October 2011), the City of Toronto and City of Brantford have adopted this "collaborative model" and we are pleased to add the City of Edmonton to this growing list.

The NHPC's "collaborative model" has now been passed by Edmonton City Council , meaning that NHPC members in Edmonton, AB, will no longer be licensed in the same way as exotic dancers and escorts, as of January 1, 2012.

The new bylaw has separate business license categories and regulations for authentic health enhancement practitioners and adult-oriented services, to reflect the reality that these require different legislation. Authentic health enhancement services include all 65 modalities recognized by NHPC.

Health enhancement practitioners and centres would have to demonstrate good standing in either our NHPC or the Massage Therapist Association of Alberta.

Body-rub (or non-health related) practitioners and centers would include everyone that does not have good standing in either of the two recognized associations, including those providing adult-oriented service.

This is very exciting news for NHPC and its members, because it means that the City of Edmonton has trusted NHPC to validate authenticity of its members as qualified health care professionals. Because NHPC has requirements to become a member, including a detailed application, criminal record check, graduation from a recognized school or program, and mandatory compliance with the Continued Competency Program (CCP), it is in the position to qualify members as healthcare professionals.

When applying for business licenses in the City of Edmonton under "Health Enhancement Practitioner", there will not be a significant change in fees. NHPC members are no longer required to submit criminal record checks as the city recognizes these are required for NHPC membership.

The road to legitimacy for natural healthcare practitioners is a long one, and overcoming this major hurdle is a big step in the right direction. Finally, in the eyes of the City of Edmonton, NHPC members are legitimate healthcare workers. As of January 1st, 2012, members will no longer be subject to being classified along with "massage parlour" businesses.

For more information, contact Bobbi Palynchuck at rpalynchuck@nhpcanada.org  or by phone at 780-484-2010 or (toll-free) 1-888-711-7701.

For additional information, see Professional Service Businesses on the City of Edmonton’s website.

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