Canada

Nordik Spa Village Chelsea institutes new safety measures amid sexual assault allegations

By
Ted Raymond

Published: 

A sign outside Nordik Spa Village in Chelsea, Que. (Katie Griffin/CTV News Ottawa)

The founder of Groupe Nordik says Nordik Spa Village in Chelsea, Que., has introduced new security measures amid a class action lawsuit alleging sexual assaults by massage therapists.

The lawsuit was launched in August 2025 by a woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by a male massage therapist at Nordik Spa Village in Chelsea, Que., in December 2024. It was given authorization by a Quebec judge to proceed as a class action earlier this month, with nearly 150 people having signed on.

The lawsuit alleges a “systemic problem regarding the prevention of sexual assault and misconduct” at the spa.

In a statement posted to social media, Groupe Nordik founder Martin Paquette blamed “some ill-intentioned massage therapists, who work as independent contractors,” for abusing the trust guests have placed in them.

“Over the past 21 years, there have unfortunately been instances in which massage therapists engaged in unacceptable conduct. My thoughts are with those who say they have experienced such situations. No one should ever have to go through something like that in a place dedicated to well-being. One case is one too many. As a business owner and the father of a young woman, I am deeply shaken by this, and I am angry,” Paquette said.

Paquette acknowledged the lawsuit in the message, saying that Nordik did not oppose it at the authorization stage.

“We want the circumstances surrounding the allegations to be thoroughly examined,” he wrote.

New safety measures

Paquette said Nordik has created new measures to protect visitors and “raise industry standards.”

He said security personnel will always be present on the dedicated massage therapy floor. Before undergoing treatment, guests will complete a consent form that indicates where they are comfortable being massaged and any areas they would prefer the massage therapist avoid.

“All of our massage therapists are trained in consent and the prevention of sexual violence, and they will check in with you during your massage to make sure you are comfortable. We have also installed an audio system in our treatment rooms to help protect our guests, a first in the industry, and a measure supported by our massage therapists,” Paquette wrote.

He said if at any point a guest feels uncomfortable, they can stop the massage.

“We will listen to you,” Paquette said. “If something has happened, whatever the nature of the discomfort, including discomfort of a sexual nature, we want to know about it so that we can act immediately.”

He urged visitors who experienced a crime to report it to police.

“Those who choose to come forward can count on Groupe Nordik’s support throughout the process. We will never defend the indefensible. We will fully cooperate with the authorities and with any ongoing legal proceedings,” he said.

Calls for more regulation

Unlike Ontario, Quebec does not have a provincial regulatory board for massage therapists.

Paquette also said Quebec needs stronger measures to regulate massage therapists in the province.

“The lack of regulation in Quebec’s massage therapy industry is a serious issue,” he said.

“We can no longer accept the status quo. Quebec needs stronger oversight of the massage therapy profession and mechanisms that truly protect the public, whether that means creating a professional order or establishing a self-regulatory body.”

Paquette says he is calling on the entire industry, associations, federations, establishments and other stakeholders to join him in advancing this work.

“Protecting the public must be a collective priority. We all have a role to play, and we must do better,” he said.

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis: