ONTARIO MASSAGE THERAPISTS DISCIPLINE TRIBUNAL
Tribunal File No.: PC-10774
BETWEEN:
College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
College
- and -
Geoffrey Tiller
Registrant
PENALTY REASONS
Heard: in writing
Panel:
Jennifer Scott (panel chair)
Allie Bisset (massage therapist)
Matthew Gordon (public)
Robyn Libby (massage therapist)
Carolyn Watt (public)
Appearances:
Fiona Wang, for the College
No one appearing for the Registrant
RESTRICTION ON PUBLICATION
The Ontario Massage Therapists Discipline Tribunal ordered, under s. 45(3) of the Health Professions Procedural Code, that no one may publish or broadcast the name of the client and/or any information that would disclose the identity of the client referred to during the hearing or in any documents filed at the hearing. There may be significant fines for breaching this order.
The Ontario Massage Therapists Discipline Tribunal is the Discipline Committee established under the Health Professions Procedural Code.
Introduction
1Mr. Tiller was convicted of sexual assault under s. 271 of the Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c. C-46 (Criminal Code) for his conduct during a massage therapy session. He resigned his registration from the College prior to his conviction.
2The College referred allegations of misconduct against Mr. Tiller to the Tribunal following his conviction. We found Mr. Tiller had been found guilty of an offence relevant to his suitability to practise, had committed sexual and physical abuse of a client, had contravened published standards of practice of the profession and engaged in conduct that is disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional. We directed the penalty hearing to be held in writing. See College of Massage Therapists of Ontario v. Tiller, 2025 ONMTDT 14.
3The parties filed a joint submission on penalty and costs dated May 6, 2025 (JSP), which we have marked as Exhibit 4. The College also provided written submissions on penalty and costs. Mr. Tiller did not provide written submissions.
Penalty
4The parties jointly submit the penalty should be a reprimand and revocation of Mr. Tiller’s certificate of registration.
5Section 51(5.2)(a) of the Health Professions Procedural Code (Code), which is Schedule 2 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, c. 18 (RHPA), provides that the Tribunal shall reprimand the registrant and revoke the registrant’s certificate of registration if the registrant has been found guilty of an offence relevant to their suitability to practise and the offence is prescribed by regulation.
6In the liability decision, we found Mr. Tiller’s conviction for a sexual assault that took place during a massage therapy appointment is relevant to his suitability to practise. Sexual assault, under s. 271 of the Criminal Code, is a prescribed offence (see Ontario Regulation 262/18 under the RHPA).
7Both requirements of s. 51(5.2)(a) are met here. The Tribunal must reprimand Mr. Tiller and revoke his certificate of registration. We note these penalties are also mandated for sexual touching of the client’s breasts, which we have found (see s. 51(5)3vi of the Code). There is no discretion with respect to these penalties.
8The Tribunal has the authority to revoke Mr. Tiller’s certificate of registration despite his resignation from the College because he was a registrant at the time the misconduct occurred (see s. 14(1) of the Code).
9We order Mr. Tiller be reprimanded and his certification of registration revoked.
Funding for Therapy
10The parties proposed that Mr. Tiller reimburse the College for funding for therapy and counselling that has been provided or may be provided to the Client pursuant to the program established under s. 85.7 of the Code, up to $17,370, the maximum allowed. They proposed that Mr. Tiller post security in the amount of $5,000 for the funding, payable in 24 monthly installments.
11There is an evidentiary basis for the reimbursement of funding. In the criminal matter, the Court commented on the impact of the sexual assault on the Client:
The victim indicated that she has missed employment as a result of the experience and that she has participated in therapy. The victim’s message is that she has been devastated by Mr. Tiller’s conduct and that her concern about it, her being troubled by it, is something that is ongoing.
We are satisfied that the Client has required and may continue to require therapy or counselling in the future.
12The amount of security is reasonable having regard to the cases relied upon by the College and the evidence before us. We make this order for security.
Costs
13The parties jointly submitted that Mr. Tiller pay costs in the amount of $8,778. This represents the costs of one-half day hearing at the liability phase, the preparation of the College’s written submission on penalty and costs and the panel’s review of the materials. This is the equivalent of the tariff rate for a one-day hearing and is reasonable. We make this costs order.
Order
14We make the following order on penalty, funding and costs:
The Registrant is required to appear before a panel of the Tribunal to be reprimanded, on a date to be scheduled with the Hearings Office within 3 months of the date of the Tribunal’s order, and with the fact of the reprimand and the text of the reprimand to appear on the public register of the College;
The Registrar of the College is directed to immediately revoke the Registrant’s certificate of registration;
The Registrant is required to reimburse the College for funding that has been and that may in the future be provided to the Client under the program established under section 85.7 of the Code, up to $17,370 which is the maximum amount allowable for the client;
The Registrant is required to post security acceptable to the College in the amount of $5,000 to guarantee the payment of any amounts he may be required to reimburse the College under paragraph 3 above, which can be paid in 24 monthly installments, with the first payment beginning one month from the date of the Tribunal’s order in the amount of $216 and thereafter, in 23 equal monthly installments of $208 each. Any amount of security provided by the Registrant that has not been used by March 10, 2028 will be returned to the Registrant; and
The Registrant is required to pay the College costs in the amount of $8,778, which can be paid in 48 monthly installments, with the first payment beginning one month from the date of the Tribunal’s order in the amount of $224 and thereafter, in 47 equal monthly installments of $182 each.