Committee agrees to restrict adult massage parlour hours

Edmonton city council will consider a recommendation by police to close adult massage parlours at 11 p.m., after earlier changing the rules to keep them open around the clock.

Starting last January, any massage parlour that renewed or received a new license as a "body rub centre" was allowed to stay open 24 hours a day. According to a city report, 16 of the 38 massage parlours in Edmonton are licensed this way.

Councillors approved the change because they thought sex trade workers would be safer indoors than out on the streets.

But police told council's executive committee on Wednesday they worry more women could be lured into the business and forced to work longer days. Extended hours will also tax police resources, said Acting Supt. Stewart Callioux.

"When we have limited resources to address concerns such as sexual abuse, robberies, exploitation of children and women, human trafficking, it's pretty hard to deal with those issues," he said.

Councillors on the executive committee agreed with police. A recommendation has been forwarded for all of council to consider at a future meeting.