Edmonton Massage parlours busted

[Arthur]

Hi from Vancouver. I realize this is a Toronto Forum but this news of Edmonton Spas being busted and Police using Common Bawdy House laws to shut them down came as a shock to me (I always thought of Edmonton as being liberal) and could have repercussions for the industry from coast to coast.

I'm aware of some busts in Toronto a while ago and a big one in Vancouver last year involving 200 arrests, but this one is unusual in nature (a driving instructor?):

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2008/06/28/6015221.html

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2008/06/29/6018326-sun.html

 

[Virgin_phoenix]

This is only 2 massage parlors with some reason not the whole industry or a big general raid.

 

[Intan S.]

Anytime there's a possibility of underage girls involved... these places should be busted.

 

[The Only Logical Solution]

I read the articles and did not see any hint of any underage girls.

However, it seems that this guy was the subject of numerous complaints fromhis driving school students whom he tried to talk into working at his massage parlours.

Section 212a of the Criminal Code deals with this specifically and essentially says that it is a criminal offense to do anything towards talking a girl into the sex biz that isn't already in it.

And that seems that is exactly what he was doing. Imagine your eighteen year old FOB daughter going for her driving lessons by a provincially licensed instructor only to be asked if she wants to make some "real money" giving men handjobs! That is a lot different than putting a passive ad in the paper or online and responding to women who have an interest in that type of work.

Doing something like this is bound to ge the guy in trouble as cops WILL respond to complaints from women they feel are being victimized... if even it only means that they have been propositioned/solicited to become a MPA. So I don't think there is any worry about this being an indicator of a country wide crackdown! LOL!!

Here is the section of the criminal code (edited and emphasis added by me)

Procuring

 

[Trudy J]

It would appear that this massage parlour owner crossed the line by procuring. The Edmonton Police actually have a liberal attitude towards massage parlours as evidenced by this excerpt from their website. Note the last two lines.:

Massage parlours:

It is not illegal for an individual to work for a massage parlour as long as they are licensed to do so by the city. Further, engaging in non-sexual services while working for the parlour is not illegal. A masseuse who actually just gives massages is not doing anything illegal. Performing sexual services in a massage clinic may be illegal if the police can prove the clinic is a place which has as its purpose prostitution. If it is implied that a sex act is available but will cost the client extra and a discussion ensues about price for sexual services the masseuse and client are committing an illegal act (communication for the purpose of prostitution -- s. 213) unless the discussion occurs in a massage room. In that case, no illegal act has been committed.

http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/CommunityPolicing/FamilyProtection/Prostitution/LegalitiesofProstitution.aspx

 

[?h??? ???? h???]

"Anytime there's a possibility of underage girls"

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2008/06/28/6015221.html
An Edmonton driving instructor is being accused of using his position to try to lure younggirls into the sex trade.

 

[Britannia Boy]

A similar raid happened in Vancouver about 18 months ago. The industry here has not fully recovered yet.

 

[awesomegirl]

Unfortunately, they (Politians & LE) never learn.