Massage therapy shouldn’t play by a different set of rules

Massage Therapists, both regulated and those working in non-regulated provinces but whose Association  is a member of the CMTA must meet the same standards of practice competence, ethics and quality of care.  As healthcare professionals, the treatment provided greatly benefits the healthcare outcomes of their patients.

Sign up today and learn more about our campaign to remove HST/GST from massage therapy services.

What is a non-taxable health service?

Historically, health care services rendered by regulated health practitioners specified in the schedule of the Federal Excise Tax Act are non-taxable health services. Regulated health professions with HST/GST exemption include Doctors of Chiropractic Medicine, Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine, Psychologists, Optometrists, Physiotherapists and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners.

As the regulation of massage therapy came into effect in Prince Edward Island in March 2019, massage therapy now meets the basic criteria to begin the process of joining the list of exempt HST/GST practitioners. The profession is now regulated in five provinces or territories—Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador and now Prince Edward Island.

In order to begin this process we need to request the federal government for a change to the Federal Excise Tax Act in order that massage therapy treatments are specified as tax exempt in the same manner as these other health professions.