This story contains graphic and disturbing details. More than 80 people have come forward alleging they were victims of sexual assault at a popular Chelsea, Que. spa after a proposed class-action lawsuit was launched last month. The lead plaintiff in the suit filed against Le Nordik in Montreal on Aug. 13, a woman identified only as A.B., spoke to CTV News Ottawa about her experience when she went to the spa for a massage in December 2024. “The first problem was he was applying way too much pressure and I had to ask him three times to stop pressing so hard,” she said of the male massage therapist. “And then just other things happened that shouldn’t have happened throughout the massage.” During the massage, the lawsuit alleges, “The plaintiff suddenly feels the massage therapist’s testicles in her left hand through his pants.” “I was like, ‘Did I just feel that? Is that really happening?’” A.B. said. “Unfortunately, I froze. It’s frustrating. I wish I would have jumped up and yelled or screamed or something, but I didn’t.” The lawsuit alleges when the massage therapist lifted the sheet to allow A.B. to turn over onto her back, he made eye contact instead of turning away. “[She] feels deeply uncomfortable when she realizes the massage therapist is keeping his eyes fixed on her while she is naked and completely exposed,” the lawsuit states. A.B. alleges the man also forcefully threw a towel at her face and inappropriately touched her inner thigh area. Le Nordik response Le Nordik said it could not comment on the class action at this time but that it cooperates with authorities whenever allegations are brought forward. In a statement, it said, “Le Nordik Spa Village Chelsea maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy with respect to any misconduct or inappropriate behaviour by massage therapists practising within its establishment” and that it’s “fully committed to adopting all measures reasonably available to ensure and preserve the safety, well-being, and trust of our clientele.” A previous statement issued Aug. 20 said, “all therapists are subject to rigorous screening at the onset, including a criminal background check. We also conduct audits throughout their time at the spa.” Response to proposed class action The proposed class action still needs to be certified. None of the allegations have been tested in court. “She’s claiming that because the massage therapist committed the wrongs, committed the faults, the spa has to pay for those faults,” said Philippe Brault with Lambert Avocats, the Montreal law firm representing the claimant. “But she’s also going after the spa directly…alleging that the spa did not take the appropriate measures or enough measures in order to prevent these cases of sexual abuse from taking place.” Since the filing was made in Quebec Superior Court, more than 80 alleged victims have contacted the firm. “I want to be a voice for them, and I want to kind of share as much as I possibly can so that their suffering is not quite as bad and they get some compensation for what’s gone on,” A.B. said. The lawsuit claims Le Nordik failed to take necessary steps to prevent incidents from occurring. “We already had an idea that there might be something going on and once this client contacted us and we did more research, we realized that different massage therapists were involved and that many different victims had allegedly been assaulted while at the spa, which is why we believe there wasn’t just a problem with the massage therapists, but also a problem with the management,” Brault said. “What I would like to happen is for each of the victims to get compensation for what they’ve gone through, this stress,” A.B. said. “There should be compensation for that, and I think Le Nordik really needs to step up and change their policies and figure out a way to get around what’s happening.” The suit also wants to see Le Nordik mandate training on sexual violence and adopt stricter hiring criteria. Unlike Ontario, Quebec does not have a provincial regulatory board for massage therapists. “With less training and no board to report to, it makes it easier for them to do things that are inappropriate,” A.B. said.
