August 10, 1997

CAR WASH IN COP COVER-UP

PARTY-POOPER MPP NIXES FUN

By JOHN INTINI
Toronto Sun Chantal thought a topless car wash was a great idea to raise money for a trip to L.A. until Scarboro MPP Jim Brown and the cops sent her packing.
The George Brown College nursing student, who set up at 9 a.m. yesterday in the parking lot of the Mid-King Gas bar at Kingston Rd. and Midland Ave., was doing bustling business until police cruisers rolled in.
"I'm not breaking any laws," said Chantal. "I talked to a detective at 42 division yesterday and he said it would be fine. I don't know what the big problem is."
Tory MPP Brown called the cops to the Mid-King Gas bar after he received complaints from area constituents.
"This is in direct violation of section 174 of the criminal code," said Brown. "The government ruled that you can walk around topless, but you cannot make money from public nudity."
"It's a real grey area," said Sgt. Will Verwey of 41 Division, "She really isn't breaking any laws by being topless. We can only inform the manager of the service station the licensing problems he may run into by having her on his property."
Service station manager Nizar Ladak said the business definitely got a welcome boost from the topless car washer.
Chantal's initial plan was to raise money so she could take a trip to L.A., but once the police cruisers began to roll in she quickly changed the beneficiary of her funds to the Toronto Humane Society. She had made about $200.
Chantal, who was not charged, said, "I'm going to get a licence ... to do this legally. I'll be back next weekend."