Quebec Court Allows Nordik Spa Assault Class Action to Proceed

A Quebec Superior Court judge has authorized a class-action lawsuit against Nordik Spa Village Chelsea after 143 people joined allegations of sexual assault and misconduct involving at least 36 massage therapists between 2007 and 2026, according to court records and reports from Global News and CBC News.

Justice Enrico Forlini issued the authorization decision on Oct. 2, allowing the case to move forward. The allegations have not been tested in court, and Nordik Spa Village said it plans to defend itself during the proceedings.

The lawsuit alleges the spa failed to prevent repeated misconduct and describes the issue as systemic rather than isolated incidents, according to court documents reported by Global News. The claims include allegations of inappropriate touching, voyeurism and inadequate responses to complaints.

Philippe Brault, a lawyer with Lambert Avocats representing the plaintiffs, said the number of participants supports the claim that the issue was broader than individual cases.

"The number is troubling, but we were suspecting a systemic issue at the spa, and that’s why our client decided to institute a class action proceeding rather than a simple individual lawsuit. We expect more people to come forward, especially with all of the stories in the media coming out since the authorization of the class action last week." said Philippe Brault, lawyer with Lambert Avocats.

Brault said some allegations share similar circumstances, including claims involving intimate touching during massage treatments. He also said several class members alleged they received gift cards after reporting misconduct.

"It’s a case of institutional negligence, so the actions that should have been made in order to prevent these types of events from taking place were not made," said Philippe Brault, lawyer with Lambert Avocats.

The lawsuit was launched by a woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted during a massage treatment in December 2024. She told Global News that she reported the incident to police after the encounter.

"I didn’t know what was happening," said the woman in an interview with Global News.

Nordik Spa Village Chelsea responded that authorization of the class action does not determine whether the allegations are valid and said the matter will proceed through the court process.

"In the meantime, we wish to reiterate that we have taken and continue to take all necessary measures to ensure a respectful, safe and trustworthy environment at our establishment. The safety and well-being of our guests, employees and professionals remain our highest priority," said Nordik Spa Village Chelsea in a statement.

Quebec massage therapy associations have called for stronger oversight following the case. They said the province currently has no government regulator for massage therapists, allowing people to continue practicing without association membership unless restricted by a court.

Étienne Durand, executive director of the Réseau des massothérapeutes professionnels du Québec, said associations created a registry for members removed over misconduct concerns and want legal changes to close gaps in regulation.

"That would be a major step forward," said Étienne Durand, executive director of the Réseau des massothérapeutes professionnels du Québec.

Durand said the associations are seeking legislation that would establish minimum training and practice standards for massage therapists in Quebec.

"We are optimistic that we can garner the government’s interest, especially when we see cases like the one making headlines." said Étienne Durand, executive director of the Réseau des massothérapeutes professionnels du Québec.

The registry created by the associations is intended to identify practitioners removed for misconduct concerns, but Durand said people outside the association system can still provide massage services.

"Even if a person does not belong to an association, they can continue to offer massage therapy services without issue," said Étienne Durand, executive director of the Réseau des massothérapeutes professionnels du Québec.

The associations have asked the Quebec government to reserve the massage therapist designation for qualified practitioners and create broader professional standards.

"This would ensure that a massage therapist removed from an association would be barred not just from that association, but from the profession entirely," said Étienne Durand, executive director of the Réseau des massothérapeutes professionnels du Québec.