New rules will be in place for Regina’s body rub establishments after changes were passed by city council’s executive committee this week.

It’s a discussion that has been active for well over a year among Regina city councillors after a decision was made to place body rub parlours in light and heavy industrial zones in order to distance them from parks, schools and residential neighbourhoods.

Following executive committee’s meeting on Wednesday, the changes mean these establishments will also be required to have licences for both the business and its workers.

Owners and operators will need to provide information about who they are, have a criminal record check and have proof they are running a legitimate operation. Establishments would have to obtain licences at $1,200 per year. For workers, they would have to take in education sessions on top of holding a license.

Committee members voted 5-4 in favour of the rule changes.

Mayor Michael Fougere said the reason for the divide in voting was because some councillors wondered if these types of businesses should even be allowed to operate in Regina.

“Some felt it’s a harm reduction strategy to allow this to take place and protect the workers that are in these establishments,” explained Fougere. “Other felt – and I felt this way – that we should not be regulating any illegal activity, therefore we should not have them at all.”

Fougere added they wanted to find the best way to protect the women who are working in these parlours.

“It’s to regulate them and require them to report on activities, make sure who is in there, they are Canadian citizens, they are 18 years old or older, they can be educated to leave the industry if they want and there are services if they do leave the industry.”

Final approval of the changes will go to city council at their August 28 meeting at city hall.