A wave of accusations has crashed over Nordik Spa, North America’s largest spa, as a class-action lawsuit alleging sexual assault by massage therapists gains momentum. What began with one woman’s courageous step forward in August has quickly swelled to include over 100 complainants, each sharing a similar, harrowing experience.
The initial plaintiff, a 49-year-old woman, alleges she was sexually assaulted during a massage in 2024. Her lawsuit isn’t simply seeking redress for herself; it aims to secure compensation for all victims who endured abuse at the hands of therapists who no longer work at the spa. The legal argument centers on Nordik’s responsibility to protect its clients and prevent such violations.
Currently, the class-action is awaiting judicial approval – a crucial first step before it can proceed to court. This initial phase is essentially a request for the green light to represent a larger group of individuals with similar claims against the spa.
A disturbing detail complicates the situation: many of the accused therapists were not directly employed by Nordik, but rather worked as independent contractors. Despite this, spa owner Martin Paquette insists client safety remains paramount, stating they take “every reasonable step” to ensure a secure environment.
However, a critical flaw in Quebec’s system undermines these efforts. Unlike many other provinces, Quebec lacks a regulatory board for massage therapists. This means there’s no official body to track complaints, investigate misconduct, or revoke licenses – creating a dangerous loophole for predatory individuals.
The consequences of this regulatory void are chillingly apparent. One therapist, accused of assault at Nordik in 2023, was fired and criminally charged, yet subsequently found employment at a clinic just fifteen kilometers away. The clinic, unaware of the allegations, had no way to access information about his past due to the lack of a centralized record.
The 2023 case involved a complainant who specifically requested a female therapist but was assigned a male one, allegedly resulting in sexual assault. Her complaint was initially met with a refund and complimentary drinks, with assurances the therapist would be dismissed – assurances that proved false until police intervention.
The unfolding crisis has spurred Nordik’s owner to actively lobby the provincial government for the creation of a regulatory board. Paquette believes standardized licensing, background checks, and disciplinary measures are essential to safeguarding clients and ensuring accountability within the industry.
Currently, Nordik conducts background checks, including criminal record searches, but the absence of a regulatory framework leaves significant gaps. A therapist dismissed from one establishment can easily find work elsewhere, their history unknown to unsuspecting employers.
Nordik is resolute in its intention to pursue legal action against the accused therapists, viewing their actions as a betrayal of trust and a stain on the spa’s reputation. The owner emphasizes a commitment to justice and accountability for those responsible.
Looking towards the future, Nordik is exploring innovative solutions, including the implementation of an AI-powered audio system. This technology would be trained to detect keywords indicative of distress or assault, silently alerting staff without compromising client privacy.
This isn’t the first time Nordik has faced such allegations. In 2016, a Montreal priest posing as a massage therapist was convicted of sexually assaulting three women, including a minor, within the spa’s facilities. In that instance, management promptly reported the incident to the police.
Built over two decades ago on land formerly owned by the church, Nordik Spa has grown from a $3.6-million project initially projected to create ten jobs to a thriving enterprise employing 350 people. Its origins, however, are shadowed by these disturbing revelations.
