The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) and Women’s Legal Education & Action Fund (LEAF) have called for the immediate suspension and repeal of Newmarket By-Law 2020-31, which imposes new business license requirements on personal wellness establishments. CCLA and LEAF fear the by-law targets primarily low-income Asian massage parlour workers, violating their right to equality under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
As amended, the by-law defines a personal wellness establishment as a place providing alternative massage services. It requires the owner or operator of such a business to submit certification that its personal wellness attendants have completed a training program from an accredited educational institution regarding the alternative massage they provide.
