June 11, 1997

Premier wants limits on going topless

By William Walker
Toronto Star Queen's Park Bureau Chief

Premier Mike Harris says he wants the federal government to limit female toplessness so that half-naked squeegee women in downtown Toronto cannot wash car windows for money.

``There's going to have to be something at some point in time (done) about sunbathing on the beach where everybody understands the rules versus in-your-face in downtown Toronto,'' he said.

``I think we're going to have to do something. I think this summer will point out that we're going to have to find out where the line (on toplessness) is.''

Harris said a solution needs to be found between sunbathing topless, which the courts have ruled is now legal, and topless squeegee women asking motorists for money.

He said the federal government has to act on the problem because the rules should be the same across Canada.

``It's not a question of what I want. I think it's a question of what society finds acceptable and I think it would be something in between those two (situations),'' Harris said.

``I as Premier have to reflect society's views and I don't think that (squeegee situation) is acceptable. My view is not far off society's views. The challenge is how do you find that line.''

Toronto lawyer Clayton Ruby said a law could be created to limit women from baring their breasts in certain public places.

But for this to happen, the act of going topless would have to pose some harm to society. ``We no longer legislate morality in this age of the new Constitution,'' said Ruby.



With files from Vinay Menon

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