Body rub parlours up for debate at London committee meeting

A plan to permit licensing body rub parlour attendants was challenged at London city hall Tuesday.

Multiple agencies gave input at the Community and Protective Services Committee meeting, stating they were not consulted.

Under the proposed bylaw, attendants working in the city’s five body rub parlours would become licensed.

“This is not something new that the City of London is looking at doing that no other municipality in Ontario is doing. I’ve listed in the report, a number of other municipalities that have gone down that route. So, we do have best practices,” said Municipal Compliance Director, Orest Katolyk.

Parlour operators are already under regulations. The new amendment would require attendants to provide a police record check and medical clearance —showing they are free of communicable diseases.

Several women’s advocacy groups and shelters have expressed opposition, saying the amendment puts the responsibility on workers.

City officials now say they’ll consult with the groups ahead of a future public meeting.