July 4, 1997

NUDES NOT WELCOME IN VANIER

By JACKI LEROUX
Ottawa Sun   Politicians in Vanier have joined the brigade against bare breasts.
  "I'm going to make sure (Ontario) Attorney General Charles Harnick gets your message: It's `no' to public nudity," Ottawa East MPP Bernard Grandmaitre told about 150 people at a rally last night.
  Organized by the Vanier Business Improvement Area, the hour-long march to Centre Francophone on Montreal Rd. from the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church also attracted Ottawa-Vanier MP Mauril Belanger, Vanier Mayor Guy Cousineau and all members of Vanier council.
  All but Belanger are committed to helping the BIA fight for provincial and federal governments to impose a ban on public nudity. Belanger said he hasn't yet formed an opinion on the matter, but he promised to pass on his contituents' concerns.
  The controversy erupted following reports that Vanier prostitutes had started going topless. One prostitute was charged for committing an indecent act because she was flashing her breasts and yelling at motorists.
  The petition calls for a law banning all nudity in public -- including on beaches.
  The rally attracted not only business people, but nuns, grandparents, mothers and kids, many of whom wore T-shirts saying "No To Nudity in Public."


1