Mr Bob Wood (London South): I have a petition signed by 109 people. It reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the courts have ruled that women have the lawful right to go topless in public; and

"Whereas the Liberal government of Canada has the power to change the Criminal Code to reinstate such public nudity as an offence;

"We, the undersigned, respectfully petition the government of Ontario to pass a bill empowering municipalities to enact bylaws governing dress code and to continue to urge the government of Canada to pass legislation to reinstate such partial nudity as an offence."

Mrs Marion Boyd (London Centre): I have a petition from some 24 people in my riding objecting to topless women in public, which reads as follows:

"We are offended that women are allowed to go topless in public. It is our right to be able to walk the streets without fear of being confronted with this immoral behaviour and demand that this right be protected."

I don't agree with this petition, but it is my obligation as a member to present it to this place, and so I will do so.

Mr Ted Arnott (Wellington): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and it reads as follows:

"Whereas the Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of the lawful right to go topless in public; and

"Whereas the Liberal government of Canada has the legislative authority to restrict going topless in public places; and

"Whereas sections 173 and 174 of the Criminal Code relating to public nudity be clarified to provide better protection of community standards;

"We, the undersigned, respectfully petition the province of Ontario to continue to urge the government of Canada to clarify legislation on going topless in public places."

I support this petition and have affixed my signature.

Mr Tony Clement (Brampton South): I too have a petition relating to the issue of toplessness in Ontario arising from the citizens of Brampton, and in particular Bramalea Baptist Church.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled that women have the lawful right to appear topless in public; and

"Whereas the Liberal government of Canada has the power to change the Criminal Code to reinstate such public nudity as an offence;

"We, the undersigned, respectfully petition the government of Ontario to continue to urge the government of Canada to pass legislation to ban going topless in public places."

I'm happy as well to affix my signature to this petition.