Montreal’s new mayor wants to rid city of erotic massage parlours

MONTREAL – Montreal’s mayor wants to get rid of so-called erotic massage parlours that have multiplied throughout the city.

Denis Coderre says he has plans to introduce a new bylaw with hefty fines attached.

Erotic massage parlours often obtain a permit as a legitimate massage business, hiding their true purpose.

Coderre says more inspections are necessary and that he wants to harmonize the way permits are doled out in Montreal’s 19 different boroughs.

He told an unrelated news conference today that the person taking over the public security portfolio within his council will make this initiative a priority.

The mayor says he’s making tackling prostitution — in particular juvenile prostitution — a priority.

The RCMP recently noted that such parlours are a gateway for moving human-trafficking victims into prostitution.

An RCMP spokeswoman estimates there are nearly 350 illicit massage parlours currently operating in Montreal.