A City of Ottawa committee has tacitly endorsed topless swimming for women at municipal
pools, but not before one councillor attempted to outlaw the practice as "self-indulgent
and disrespectful."
Coun. Allan Higdon was the only one to oppose a proposed policy that would direct
lifeguards "not to intervene with a topless swimmer unless there is a complaint
received."
Even then, lifeguards would merely ask -- not order -- the woman to cover her chest,
then call police if a dispute escalated into a disturbance.
The issue goes to full council next week.
"I think we're copping out on this issue," said Mr. Higdon. "We've
become so obsessed with individual rights that we have forgotten the obligations
of citizenship."
He said signs should be posted at city pools requiring "appropriate, modest
attire" for all swimmers and that women "overcome by the urge to swim
topless" could do so at local beaches, lakes and elsewhere in the "wild
blue yonder."
His plan was defeated 4-1, the same margin by which councillors backed the more
permissive policy presented by community services commissioner Janette Foo.
Coun. Diane Deans said the city should avoid the spectre of "breast police
swinging into action" every time a topless woman is sighted. At the same time,
she said, "I put my faith in the women of this city to act discreetly,"
even if they choose to take a semi-nude dip in a municipal pool.
Coun. Richard Cannings said Canadians are among the world's most "sexually
repressed" people and that bare-breasted swimming and sunbathing is the norm
in Europe.
"Even if we were to permit this, I don't think there will be a rush of topless
bathers and I don't think we will corrupt the morals of our children. It's not indecent."
Mr. Higdon suggested the same women who would advocate bare-breasted swimming would
be the first ones complaining about pornographic magazines in a corner store.
Coun. Elisabeth Arnold objected to the implied link between "women going topless
at a beach and pornography," arguing that it feeds the idea that "women's
breasts are some sort of sexual tool."
There's nothing wrong, she said, for women "on a sweltering hot day to be just
as comfortable as men are."
Ms. Deans also criticized society's "preoccupation with the breast as a sexual
object" rather than as "a tool for nurturing."
Councillors said they didn't receive many comments about the issue from constituents
but but that a few callers from Nepean had urged against topless swimming.
"I don't know what they're putting in the water in Nepean," remarked Coun.
Jim Watson.
He called the proposed policy "a reasonable approach" but added that,
"I think, at the end of the day, we have greater challenges."
Municipalities across Ontario have been scrambling to review their policies on pool
attire since December, when the top provincial court overturned a 1991 indecency
conviction against a Guelph woman who had gone for a topless stroll in public.
The decision made it unquestionably legal for women to go bare-breasted at beaches,
parks and other outdoor public spaces.
But municipal officials believe they may still have the power to regulate attire
in "controlled access" public locations, such as community centres, city
halls and civic pools.
Ottawa appears to be the first Ontario city to attempt to formalize its policy on
female bathing suits, and the issue is being closely watched by other municipalities
and aquatics staff around the city.
"We say we live in an open society, but I think there's still quite a lot of
concern about women swimming topless," says Donald Harris, director of the
city-run Champagne Bath on King Edward Avenue.
The historic Champagne Bath is itself a monument to changing social attitudes.
It was built in 1921 "to promote health and cleanliness among the poor,"
according to a heritage plaque at the front door, but men and women had to swim
separately until 1967.
Topless issue the talk at pool
Thirty years on, the prospect of topless female swimming is generating mixed views
among Champagne patrons.
"I don't care what women wear in a swimming pool," said Louise Mullin,
who goes to Champagne regularly and also brings her nine-year-old son David to the
pool.
"I think we're generally more tight-assed than people in Europe about these
things," she added, indicating that she would consider taking a topless plunge.
"What bothers me is men on the streets without shirts. I could stand to see
fewer hairy armpits and chests in the shopping mall."
Several men said they wouldn't object but wondered out loud why women would want
to swim topless.
"I don't see the advantage in it except to prove a point," said Alex McDougall,
71.
"I suppose if (women) want to push the envelope that's fine," added Terry
Pachal, 49.
"As long as they're prepared for the consequences, like a lot of men looking
at their chests."
Asked how he'd feel if his wife swam topless, Mr. Pachal hesitated then said: "I
guess that would be OK once I became used to it.
"I don't think I'd have a double standard, so I'd have to accept that. It's up to her -- she's a big girl."