Gélinas bill calls for removal of HST for registered massage therapists

‘Massage therapy is health care and should not be taxed,’ Nickel Belt MPP says

Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas wants to see sales tax removed from massage therapy services.

The NDP’s shadow minister for health announced Dec. 11 the tabling of Bill 98, Massage Therapy Tax Act, 2025, which if passed would remove the “unfair tax treatment” levied against services provided by registered massage therapists (RMT).

The services provided by RMTs help patients “manage pain, rehabilitate injuries and improve mental and physical well-being.” Although they are regulated and provide reliable health-care services, patients pay 13 per cent HST on any services from an RMT, unlike other health care professionals.

“Massage therapy is health care and should not be taxed,” Gélinas said in a news release. “It should be made accessible to all those in need, regardless of their financial situation. Removing the HST from Massage Therapy services is an important small change we can make to move our province in the right direction.”

Removing HST removes a barrier to care, the release states.

“Massage Therapy services are regulated in five provinces and clearly meet the definition of health care services” Gélinas said. “Unfortunately, neither the federal or provincial government are taking action to expand access to a service that treats or relieves injury and disability while improving quality of life. Ontario can take the lead to reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients and encourage earlier intervention for pain and injury provided by Regulated Massage Therapists.”

Naturally, the bill has the support of the Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario.

“Having to pay HST on massage therapy means fewer Ontarians can afford the relief provided by Registered Massage Therapists for musculoskeletal pain. The RMTAO fully supports this important bill, which seeks to take the HST off the services offered by RMTs and align the tax treatment with that of other regulated health practitioners,” said Michael Feraday, executive director and CEO of the RMT association. “With this change, we can remove this financial obstacle and ensure Ontarians can access the right care, when and where they need it.”