Content warning: This story contains content that may be upsetting for some readers.
A massage therapist practicing out of a Saanich at Tone Massage Therapy has now officially had his license taken away and he has been given a 25-year ban on practicing massage.
Gilles-Phillipe “Phil” Lavoie had been practicing massage therapy for 15 years up until August, 2020. It was then that he was caught secretly filming a female client of his undressing before he gave her treatment.
“Specifically, he positioned his mobile phone in a place in the treatment room such that its camera was facing toward the area that he anticipated the Patient would disrobe, turned the mobile phone record function on, and exited the treatment room,” said the College of Massage Therapists of BC (CMTBC).
“The mobile phone captured the Patient disrobing at the beginning of the massage therapy appointment.”
On June 11th, 2021, Lavoie was criminally convicted of voyeurism — a charge related to secretly observing or recording nudity in a private place.
“This is an extremely disturbing incident that is alleged to have occurred and we have provided support to the victim involved,” said Cst. Markus Anastasiades, in a statement following his arrest in 2020.
“We must appreciate and respect the privacy involved here, so we are not sharing any further details of the incident.”
Related:
Saanich massage therapist arrested, facing charges of voyeurism
He was found guilty of committing this offence on three occasions with three separate women, one of whom was a patient of his.
In addition to immediately losing his license as of January 11th, 2023, Lavoie is banned from practicing massage for 25 years.
He will only be allowed to reapply for his license with the CMTBC in 2048.
“The Inquiry Committee is satisfied that the consent order in this matter appropriately reflects the seriousness of the admitted conduct and will protect patient safety through cancellation of Mr. Lavoie’s registration, meaning that Mr. Lavoie is no longer authorized to practice as a registered massage therapist in BC,” said the resolution published by the CMTBC.
