CCLA and the Women’s Legal Education & Action Fund (LEAF) sent a letter to Newmarket’s Mayor, Deputy Mayor and City Councillors expressing our shared concern over Newmarket By-Law 2020-31. The by-law imposes new business license requirements for personal wellness establishments. CCLA and LEAF are concerned that the by-law has a discriminatory impact by forcing primarily low-income Asian massage parlour workers – most of whom are women – out of work, violating their right to equality guaranteed under section 15 of the Charter.
While four personal wellness establishments have received the business license, none of the existing
