HST on Massage Therapy: Change May Be Coming 💸

A Major Shift Could Be Ahead for RMTs in Ontario

There’s encouraging news for massage therapy in Canada — momentum is building to remove HST from Registered Massage Therapy (RMT) services, thanks to the advocacy work of the Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario (RMTAO).

Most regulated health professions — including physiotherapy, chiropractic, and naturopathy — are exempt from HST. RMTs, despite being highly trained and provincially regulated, remain one of the few exceptions. The RMTAO has been meeting with government representatives to demonstrate that massage therapists meet the same clinical criteria and play a vital role in frontline healthcare.

Removing HST would make massage therapy more affordable, more accessible, and better aligned with other essential healthcare services.

Where Things Stand Now

In recent weeks, the RMTAO met with:

• The Ministry of Finance

• Multiple Members of Parliament

• Parties across the political spectrum

The Conservative Party has expressed support for removing HST from RMT services, and a Liberal MP is considering sponsoring legislation to make the exemption official.

While nothing is finalized yet, the movement is gaining real traction — something the profession has been advocating for over many years.

What This Means for Clients and Therapists

If the exemption becomes law, clients could see HST removed from every massage therapy session — a meaningful savings, especially for those receiving regular treatment for chronic pain, injury recovery, or stress management.

For therapists, it represents something more:Recognition that Registered Massage Therapists are essential healthcare providers — not a luxury service.

It also strengthens the integration of massage therapy within collaborative healthcare models.

Our Perspective at Clinic Bare Rituals

At Clinic Bare Rituals, we support the RMTAO’s efforts and look forward to a future where massage therapy is more affordable, more accessible, and more widely recognized as a vital part of whole-body health.