Mississauga officials are 'keeping an eye on it'

Topless issue not an issue at City Hall

In anticipation of female sunbathers bearing their breasts in Mississauga this summer, City officials aren't sure how they'll deal with the matter.
On the heels of last December's Appeals Court decision, which made it no longer a criminal offence for women to go topless in public, women have already been spotted sans top-wear on Toronto-area beaches and parks, and with the recent ruling many expect others will follow suit as summer gets into full swing.
City spokesman Bill Lidstone told The News Friday afternoon that the City is "tracking the issue" but hasn't figured out it's position on topless female sunbathers. Having no precedent in which to follow, City officials are taking a wait-and-see approach.
"It certainly is a difficult issue. We don't have a declared position at this point, but we're keeping an eye on it," said Lidstone.
Although the City has yet to determine how it will respond to topless situations - whether it be topless women in public parks or at City-operated swimming pool facilities - Lidstone did provide background on the matter.
He said there can be a difference (between public parks and City pools). In a City pool, where people are paying a fee and there are operating rules, a trespassing rule can be applied. But in City parks, or open areas, there's not the same application, and therefore the City can't do anything.
Other City officials contacted Friday wouldn't comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, police say that they don't expect any problems this summer, given the court ruling.
In anticipation of those who may take offense to bare-breasted women sunbathing in parks, Peel Regional Police Sergeant Peter Morgan said police will deal with each complaint on its own merit, "while bearing in mind the supreme court's decision."
"A woman taking off her top in public is not a criminal offense, but it also depends on the circumstances," added Morgan. "If it's done for sexual reasons, such as a prostitute displaying herself, or if a woman running a hot dog stand takes her top off to attract business, that's something we can enforce, obviously. Those circumstances don't come under the court's decision."
Police say the matter is really much ado about nothing and is getting a lot of undeserved publicity.
"It's probably similar to when the thong bikini came out, and everyone thought the world was coming to an end," said Morgan. "It's (topless women) only an issue if people make it one."