June 13, 1997

LOCAL MPP JUST CAN'T BARE IT

By SIMON TUCK
Ottawa Sun It's time to ban bare breasts -- both male and female, a local MPP says.
Jean-Marc Lalonde, Liberal MPP for Prescott and Russell, plans to bring forward a motion at Queen's Park next week that would result in a gender-neutral ban against toplessness.
"I am completely against having women running around topless," Lalonde said yesterday. "(But) to tell you the truth, I don't like to see men topless either."
Lalonde said anti-topless advocates are still researching the matter, but they're looking fondly at the new policy at Hamilton's Ivor Wynne Stadium that requires all patrons to wear shirts.
But even though his motion might end up treating both sexes equally, Lalonde was quick to add that he sees a big difference between shirtless men and women. "I don't believe it's the same at all."
He said he's been flooded with calls from constituents outraged over the Ontario Court of Appeal ruling that women can't be charged for going topless -- a ruling that has triggered a wave of topless sunbathers at beaches and pools across the province.
"It's starting to be a problem in Hawkesbury," Lalonde said, adding local residents took action Wednesday after local sightings of bare-breasted women. An anti-topless petition that started in Lefaivre has now spread to Hawkesbury.