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Home : Top Stories : Ontario man challenging Canada's nudity laws

Ontario man challenging Canada's nudity laws

Brian Coldin, middle, plans to argue that public nudity shouldn't be a criminal offence. Brian Coldin, middle, plans to argue that public nudity shouldn't be a criminal offence.
Brian Coldin, middle, plans to argue that public nudity shouldn't be a criminal offence.

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Date: Monday Jul. 4, 2011 9:06 PM ET

Should it be illegal to go through a drive-thru stark naked? Brian Coldin doesn't think so.

This week, his lawyers plan to argue that public nudity shouldn't be a criminal offence at all.

Coldin is a longtime "naturist" who runs a clothing-optional resort near the town of Bracebridge, in Ontario's picturesque Muskoka region. He's faced a number of charges over the years, and was the subject of a 2005 documentary from CTV's W5, called "A Town Without Pity."

He was charged with public nudity two years ago, after driving through an A&W naked with three others and placing an order.

The trial has dragged on for months, but this week, Coldin's lawyers plan to argue that the nudity laws under which he was charged are too broad and are therefore unconstitutional.

Coldin is charged under Section 174 of the Criminal Code, which says it is illegal to be nude in a public place, or while exposed to the public while in a private place.

His lawyers say the laws are so broad that one could be charged just by being seen naked while in one's own home.

Nader Hasan, one of Coldin's lawyers, says laws should exist to protect us from harm, "not to protect the sensibilities of the most prudish among us," he remarked to The Canadian Press in an interview.

"These laws violate freedom of expression and they are overbroad such as to punish all kinds of conduct that is completely harmless and shouldn't be criminal."

He notes that if the nudity provisions of the Criminal Code are struck down, there would still be public indecency laws on the books, so acts like flashing or public masturbation would still be illegal, since they are covered under separate provisions.

Hasan says if the nudity laws are overturned, it would no longer be a crime to be nude while sunbathing or changing at the beach.

The arguments about the constitutionality of Canada's nudity laws come at the end of Coldin's trial for incidents that took place in May 2009.

The judge will rule on whether Coldin is guilty of the charges he's facing and on the constitutionality of the nudity laws at the same time.

Since witnesses were called during the actual trial who spoke about Canada's nudity laws, there will only be statements by lawyers on Tuesday.

The arguments will take about a day, Hasan expects.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

Anne
said

seriously? who wants to look at naked people ? keep it to yourself in private


Ray Jorritsma
said

Get over it, already, we are only talking body parts here. 50% of the human population has a penis and the other 50% a vulva and a pair of breasts. One of the biggest sex organs in the human body is already generously exposed--skin! Following some people's logic in these comments, not only women should wear burkhas, so should men. I wonder how many who have commented about not wanting their spouses and kids to see a naked body are OK with them watching violent TV shows or playing violent video games. IMHO, violence is indecent, nudity certainly is not.


Heather
said

Where will we hide when all the standards are gone? Anyone remember when it was considered indecent for one's undergarments to show? And now we aren't even wearing those. Good gracious; if exposing oneself to children (ie; flashing) is a sexual crime, how is parading through a drive-thru that sells childrens meals not a crime? Cover up!


vince in trenton
said

Another example of people with more money than brains.....my only QUESTION is where does he pull his wallet from when he is pulled over by the COPS and they ask for his licence????? I am with the one who said if he wants to be nude that is fine in his own home but stay away from my family when naked and everything is hanging out.....


Grow up Canada
said

Canada grow up already! Naked bodies surround us in our art, TV and media. If you don't want to see someone then look the other way. There are lots (tons) of clothed people who are revolting to look at, so we look the other way if you can't handle it. What is truly revolting and incredibly sad are those parents who feel they have to protect their children from seeing nude bodies (note: my wife and I raised two very successful young adults who managed to see naked bodies and somehow survived). You know if we as a society accepted the human body as it is there maybe far few attention starved snivillers just looking for an excuse to hurt someone (ie the guy in this story). I love Canada and wouldn't want to live anywhere else, BUT, we are still in the stone-age when it come to nudity and backward parents who are "protecting" their kids from NOTHING at all.


mike
said

Just a simple comment, since A@W restaurants are private property not public,(all businesses are pravate) All you have to do is place that old sign, no shorts,no shirt,no shoes, no service.


Sam
said

All the fuss about kids... kids don't care about nudity, for years I could not get my little boy to wear a swimsuit, he didn't like the feel of wet clothing (rightly so, who does?) and would run around naked in and out of the pool at family gatherings. He didn't care one bit about nudity until adults starting telling him to get dressed because nudity was wrong. Nudity isn't sex and it isn't harassment or intimidation, those offended by simply seeing a nude person need to frankly grow up about the whole subject.


Cindy
said

He has the right to be naked and I have the right to not agree with it!


Neil
said

Another article that doesn't give the proper information. There's a difference between standing on a street corner nude, and driving nude. Canadian law states that both men AND women must be fully clothed while driving a motor vehicle. A man driving with shorts on, but no shirt on is considered illegal. It's even illegal to drive with flip flops on. The same law states that footwear must be secured, as in shoes or sandals with straps that cannot come off while moving between the accelerator and brake. It's just too dangerous. So I wonder what the actual charges were? Being nude in public, or driving nude?


Zoltan
said

Go ahead and drop your cloths in February sunshine. Freeze your nards solid. See if I care. Just stay away from my wife and kids when you do...


Anthony
said

Clothing is rather expensive, so walking around without clothes would be a good break for those on fixed incomes and poor people in general..


what is this world coming to
said

Does anyone really want to be taking money from him, when as many men do absentmindedly scratch their bits, in his case naked bits? The people at A&W or any food business have strict hygiene rules to follow, what happens then? Does anything that the cashier then touched after handling anything he touched need to be disinfected? Can you imagine if more people did that, the costs involved? What about the rights of the rest of us, not to have to see his private bits. And whats wrong with hopping into a pair of shorts before getting into the car? Next he'll want to ride a motorcycle naked without a helmet. I don't want to pay his hospital bills if he gets into an accident.


Mike (barrie)
said

I love nude people, but I sure as hell don't want my kids exposed to them at any given time. Sure public indecency and sexual harrassment are different things but where are the lines drawn. This employee never asked to see this man naked and I am sure that A&W has policies in place that do not allow harrassment of any kind. If they go to work expecting to be treated a certain way by their fellow employees and their customers then why shouldn't this man be charged. It may not have been a sexual act on his part but to an unsuspecting employee there are effects. You cannot smoke in buildings anymore due to public health, even though nudity won't cause cancer it should still be away from public places where common sense dictates it is prohibited.


A
said

Just have a national vote on it. Chances are old values wins out and laws are left about as is.


Terry
said

That pervert ever stood there waving his figs in my face he wouldn't have to worry about the trial.It's getting pretty rediculous the things people try to get passed by the law.I think this one is one of those"Enough is Enough"for Pete sake.I for one don't want to see people walking around naked.You want to flash your package.Get a date and show her pervert.


Kevin
said

Alot of other countries allready have nude laws, for many many years. In Canada, we shutter nudity. Europeans have been doing this for 100 years. Their sunshine girls are nude (paper). Every beach...is %75 nude. When you grow up with it....it becomes nothing. Example: Amsterdam has legal marajuana for 40 plus years. They now have the lowest amount of pot smokers on the planet.


Andy Kanata
said

Yea let's all walk around naked, smoking joints and drinking beers and toting unregistered firearms. Oh no Canada! I guess this guy saved a lot of money on clothing over the years so that he could hire some lawyers to make us legislate some more common sense.


Sahi
said

What about the nudity in gym? that is also a public place but men walk around naked in changing rooms.


Peter in mb
said

If Brian Coldin runs a clothing-optional resort, he should know the laws that when you leave the resort you have to be wearing cloths. What he did was not acceptable and he deserves to get a fine. Also this is not the first time he has done this sort of thing, one can assume that he is a weirdo and a trouble maker. Anyone who thinks that this guy did nothing wrong is got to be as weird as him. During gay pride people show up wearing some really interesting colourful clothing, but they are still wearing clothing!!!


HB
said

The first time I went into a public shower at the gym, I was kind of uncomfortable, but I got used to it pretty quick. I am sure we could get used to walking around naked, if everyone else would agree to it. But that's the thing, most people are against walking around naked, exposed in public. Including myself. God Himself made coverings for our bodies, because of the fall into sin. Before then, we didn't have that problem. Some of us don't care, but there are always those men and women who equate nudity with sexuality. Then there is jealousy, some ugly people jealous at good looking people. It is in our nature to be sinful. There are good reasons to keep some things personal, out of reverence for God, yourself, and your neighbor. Selfishness vs respect for others, that's what this battle is about.


DNas27
said

Oh come on. It's a naked body, WHO CARES! And for those who are afraid of their children seeing people naked, I feel sorry for your kids. Nudity does not equate sexuality and you're doing your kids a disservice by not differentiating the two. That said, ya I think there should be appropriate places for people to be nude but at the end of the day if they aren't harming anyone and the intentions are not of a sexual nature then I don't think it should be a big issue. I think we as a society have a lot more to worry about than some naked dude.


Prof. Pye Chartt
said

I get the sense that some of you are worried that if we decriminalize public nudity (not public indecency) most people will immediately take to burning their clothes and prancing around the streets naked. Something tells me that society will remain, ostensibly, "safe" for your tender virgin eyes. The vast majority of folks don't want to make you squirm, or weep in a fit of emotional and psychological upset. Clearly, you're too fragile to handle the "shock" of anatomical reality. Poor babies. Just relax. It'll be okay.


Terry
said

Born nude is one thing , nude as an adult is something else. There are many people I would not want to see nude , even in shorts its questionable. Just think of sitting on a seat that a nude person sat on, NO THANKS, how gross. Why do people have to go against what is appropriate and whats not. . There are places to go if you want to be nude, go for it.


Enoughalready
said

We already have enough strain on the medical system without some nature freaks running in for acute sunburn on their parts. How far will we go with the charter of rights and freedoms. Ask an ancient Roman sometime. Oh, that's right, they civilization crashed because of elitist moral decay and excess!


mary dicerni
said

I believe nudity is for your own private place. I heard Toronto had added a law allowing topless in public places, but not in areas you pay to enter.. these are private, and no nudity. If people go to a drive-through they should at least have a towel around the bottom, for simple hygiene. These people are behaving like irresponsible animals if they are exposing their bottoms.. and it is illegal as far as I know. Did they feel it was in their private car ? The law is not being clear here. I still have no respect for them, and I was a family naturist for many years. There are pigs in every culture, I suppose.


Gail Cooke
said

I don't want to see anyone's wiggly bits flapping in the wind. He should take his punishment like a man instead of like a petulant infant. If you want to go nude, do it in the privacy of your home. Don't inflict yourself on me or anyone else. Public nudity should probably be a privilege not a right for most people anyway.


Visitor from the 18th century
said

I want to be protected from having to look at anyone's bare ankles. I consider ankles to be indecent and sexually charged. Why are there no laws to protect my right not to have to look at your ugly naked ankles? Why do you even need to expose your ankles? It is completely unnecessary. You are free to expose your own ankles in the privacy of your own home; I don't need to be witness to that. I don't see why I need to support your right to "self expression" by showing off your ankles.


Au Natural
said

Ho-Hum!! Listen to all the puckered sphincters pontificating ad naseum.What is the big deal? Europeans have been enjoying their "naturalness" for generations.To them,it's perfectly,well....natural.Isn't there more important things to be concerned about?? Throw this stupid case OUT,then get a life.


Nell'e
said

So if you drive nude and get into an accident or breakdown, you need to get outta your car. No one needs to see that! The poor kid at A&W, probably scarred for life.I don't need to show off my stuff, I don't need to see your package, leave it to the designated beaches, change rooms and your own home.


Jared
said

"His lawyers say the laws are so broad that one could be charged just by being seen naked while in one's own home. "That's the point. I don't think it's an error. You should not be able to stand in your bay window and show your naked self to the children walking on the sidewalk in front of your home.What is to stop sexual predators from using the law they way he wants it as a shield to hide behind. Exposing yourself is exposing yourself. Prudish or not - underaged kids work in the drive-thru at McDonalds and should be protected from people like this. I am almost 40 and should ALSO be protected from this. I don't have an issue with the human body but that doesn't mean I should have to look at it in public. Want to show it off? Invite someone into your house to do it then.Honestly most people should not be seen naked. I'm one of them. I am certain that no one wants to see that - so I don't make them.As for freedom of expression - the rights of the many outweigh the rights of the few (or deluded...).


sanan dmello
said

Of course nudity should be allowed on our streets. But why stop at nudity a lil sex on the sidewalk is okay too....sex like nudity is natural ...isn't it? hmmm while we are at it, lets see what else is natural, peeing pooing, farting. What a bunch of idiots. Do you get these ideas because your stomachs are full? If you were a third word country you would have no time for this nonsense because you would be busy trying to earn your bread.


ed
said

so he wants the law to protect him so he can go to workplaces where there are teenage girls and flash them. Ya thats a good idea. go canada!!


just me
said

Yes we are born naked, and right away they dress us up. even though we look so cute.But when we grow up we get grown up fellingsso if a man or a woman walk in front of each other naked and they get into the mood, are we going to walk our selves and the children, watching humans in heat? like men walks on three legs?come on guys draw the line.there are nudes camps go for it if so you like, now let's watch prince william and kate naked and say (well there is nothing wrong with that, they are expressing their bodies) I have no insecurities with my body like some people wants to put it, but I know the difference between class and trash, and the law better straighten the trash, next thing you know they want to have sex on the street like dogs, and they will say it's a human thing.I think we lost enough values already, our kids are suffering enough because of our behaviour, let's get some class back and some family values, we are trashy enough.


CraigW
said

I agree there is nothing wrong nudity in the proper environment, like a beach for instance, but I would think that there should be some protection for people who do not want to look at a nude person. Working in an A&W drive thru seems to me to be the kind of place where a person who does not want to look at a nude person should be able to not have to do so.


Don
said

Several years ago, a man was charged while being naked in his own home. He was seen by a woman walking on the side walk, looking into HIS house. The court upheld the charge against him. I hope this guy has a good lawyer!


Justin
said

Personally I disagree with walking around in the buff in public places. It seems vulgar and inappropriate as it isn't a norm of society.With that said as a society it is an extremely slipperly slope to legislate this as it infringes on that individuals freedoms. How is this different from Saudi Arabia where women are require at all times to wear hair covers? In our society we know that that is a ridiculous infringement on their personal rights and freedoms but in Saudi Arabia they simply say that women's hair is obcene and vulgar the same as we are saying about this case.So who draws the line and where do they draw it? Some people in our society that would prefer all women's hair covered on down to some that want to be able to walk around in the buff?


Colin Gee
said

The only crime here, is the atrocious spelling in many of the posts here. It's called Spell Check folks!


W
said

I wonder how old the cashier at the drive through was? Driving around naked is going a little too far. The spirit of the law is obviously not to prohibit someone from showering naked at a gym or changing behind a tree at the beach. The law (which is very easy to interpret) is meant to prevent individuals from becoming a nuisance on their own property (mowing the front yard naked mid-day perhaps) very similar to playing music too loud late at night. The public portion of the law is keep common areas respectable. Why should a cashier at a drive through have to serve naked people? I would argue that if an adult drives up to a window naked and is met by a 15 year old, then the adult is guilty of flashing. Similarly what is the difference between someone flashing outside of an elementary school or jogging past naked at recess? Lets not get too silly about this issue. If buddy wants some A&W he can put a pair of shorts on. And of course how hygenic would it be if we all sat naked on the bus/train/subway?


beverly
said

Oh PUL---EASE!!!princessrobyd. Perhaps you should hide from reality wearing a burka to sheild you. The human body is just the vessel that carries our real selves and far too much importance is attached to the viewing of it. Bodies are beautiful for many reasons - the softness of a woman who had given life to another - the hardness of one who works at physical labor.We all have them - some are works of art, some are the art of the lives we have led, but none of them are shameful.Sexual harrasment is something quite apart from viewing a body and with any luck you will never be subjected to the realities of such harrasment.


beckyofCalgary
said

It's unhealtlhy sitting on a seat/table others would sit on.At least wear a thong1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Gross


ONT - NS
said

Skinny, round, lumpy or smooth. I DO NOT want to see you naked. They are called PRIVATE parts becuase they are just that, private. LOL


Ted
said

If you want to display your nudity, thats your business but why should someone have to view you. Thats disgusting. At A&W, come on idiot young people work there, never mind kids walking around. Your sick and you have issues. Get help!


Prof. Pye Chartt
said

The "issue" here is PUBLIC NUDITY (and it being considered a criminal offense), not PUBLIC INDECENCY (which nobody of sound mind wishes to do away with). The notion that someone is "sexually harassing" you by being visibly nude is ridiculous. A sexual display in public and an act of public nudity are only the same thing in the cranium of a repressed prude with a twisted and unhealthy perception of the human body. (Mr. Coldin isn't accused of being "sexual" in any way.) Do those National Geographic magazines showing African jungle warriors make you blush, get you flustered, and/or get you uptight and upset? A little modern-day maturity might help, Victorians.


Lynn
said

My eight year old grandson got into trouble at a school swiiming outing because he jiggled his belly at another child when they were getting dressed in the changeroom. The note from the teacher said he exposed himself. His punishment is he has to now change when none of the other children are in the changeroom. What sort of a body image is this sending to children, his belly wiggles and he thought it was funny now he has been told by adults it is something to be ashamed of and punished for. I myself would not walk around naked but I would not be uncomfortable being in the company of someone who was naked.


G
said

Anyone who agrees with this guy is absolutely nutty!


GB
said

Nudity is not harmful. What is harmful is when people equate nudity with sexuality. The Christians on here cite the bible story of Adam and Eve. As a Christian I find it hard to believe that people still believe that story....it's just a story to make a religious point of view. If you believe in God then you also believe that God didn't create any flaws, or make mistakes. Therefore the human body, however imperfect it might seem in our eyes, is perfect in his eyes, so why do we hide God's perfections? I have no problem with nudity at all. It kind of makes me smile though to think of sitting in the pew on Sunday morning with a church full of nude people.....


Girard
said

Where is all of this going to stop? Why have we become so much like Sodom and Gommorah? We continue to push the boundaries of decency and now that the lines are all gray we find it difficult to establish the boundries we have had. Here we have someone who believes he should have the right to walk around naked when ever or where ever he wants because he believes it is "his right". Why should someone else's rights offend the rights of another individual. Just keep your clothes on when in public and if it makes you feel better, walk around your backyard in the buff, just make sure you use mosquito repellent.


JC
said

My children shouldn't have to be exposed to nudity. Where are there rights? Where are my rights? I don't want to see that!


Randall
said

It is plain and simple the law is wrong and outdated. We deal with a lot of unhealthy self image issues, making the view of a naked human body illegal is like saying there is something wrong with the human body. What is wrong, is those who find it who find the human body offensive. These people have mental health issues and probably have insecure issues about their own bodies. Nudity is normal, we were born that way. Where does this law stop? The way it is written I could be charged with changing in the men's room at the gym, if someone chose to complain. Crazy huh.. may be we need to dress our pets too so we don't see their bits...LOL Or how about the spring viewing at our metro zoo where we can go see animals mating, hell we show panda's on TV mating with scientist timing how long they couple for.. That is acceptable, but the view of a human body it not.. I more worried about the unhealthy minds that come up with these type of laws..


Mike Webster, Mississauga ON
said

Has anyone else noticed that the ones who most want to go nude always seem to be the last people on Earth that you'd want to see that way?


Paul
said

So, according to the law, not only can you not be nude in your own house with a window open, you can't be nude in the shower at your local gym. That sounds a little to broad to me.


Open Mind in Ottawa
said

Slow news day I guess... Public nudity laws as currently on the book are wrong. They can easily be changed without society decaying into a modern Sodom and Gemorrah. Public nudity is nothing to get worked up about. No average woman or man will be exposing the school children at you local public school to their nudity. Those who do, will have other laws to deal with, and rightly so. From the comments it looks to be more of a gender issue than anything else. Women will be the first to stand up and state that wearing a see through top with no bra is their right to wear what they want, but show male sexual organs... and everyone cries "they are just a bunch of pervs exposing themselves". Double standard for sure.Lets face it, most people who would appear nude in public are most likely going to be at a beach or in their own back yards, not walking down main street, unless they are protesting over something. If you don't like or are afraid of the human form just don't look. But getting a criminal record because you were skinny dipping at a local swimming hole, appeals to only the narrow minded.


RB Harris
said

There are some places where I agree that if someone wants to go about their business in the buff, then that is their choice. However, drive-throughs, malls, or other privately owned areas should be off limits. Public nudity is not human rights issue as no one is being descriminated against. You cannot argue that being forced to wear clothing is a form of descrimination.


Kevin Driver
said

Nudity on the beach has been acceptable in Europe for many years, and to me there is nothing wrong with it. But there are some people in our society who do not agree with it and those peoples rights must also be respected, that is our prudish North American upbringing a balance does need to be struck. Going through the drive through though is not the place. I am probably quite sure the young lady in question has seen stuff on the internet as all teenagers have. But she is correct that she does not need to see it at her place of employment it was probably a bit shocking no need to have nightmares.


devil's advocate
said

Another situation where the application of that sadly uncommon commodity "common sense" could solve the whole problem but will be nowhere in sight. Common sense - it is utterly harmeless to be naked in one's own home or private space, should NEVER, EVER have charges laid and that part of the law should be stricken from the books. It is definitely the responsiblity of the person on the street to look away if they person they see inside a house is naked - there should be no inherent "right" for someone to be able to look into your private space without seeing something they don't want to see. Common sense - naked at the playground - well duh not viewed as appropriatte in our society by a vast majority of people even if there is no criminal activity involved. Importantly, allow for great discretion regarding charges from misdemeanor or mental health intervention, lay more serious charges if an investigation reveals anything nefarious (pardon the pun). Common sense - naked in the car not completely clear cut need more info. I can't even tell what kind of pants a person is wearing (if any) by a casual glance into a car so naked while driving - not a crime. If I was above the vehicle as you would be in a drive thru window In order to be blatantly exposed and effortlessly seen the guy must not have been wearing his seatbelt correctly - give him a seatbelt ticket. If the seatbelt was on, the drive thru person must have been REALLY looking hard for parts hanging out (think about it) and if they saw something it was due to their own curiosity and not any criminal act. Definitely not criminal, misdemeanor at worst while in a car.


CMQ
said

We are suprized by this coming after Ontario said a woman had the right to go topless anywhere in the province? Slippery slope my friends.


Ed
said

If we actually normalised our views about our bodies and sexualities, this would not be an issue. instead, our society gets all excited over a nipple being exposed (in normal, everyday situations)If people are doing indecent or doing sexual acts, persecute. Look at places through Europe - normal, not an issue, as everyone is taught at a young age what is appropriate and what is not. Same on not abusing alcohol as they learn what is normal and not....


AHOLE
said

P...... comes to mind.Can you imagine his car seat.


Ian Ottawa
said

I agree with KJ on this. The guy should not be at a Tim Hortons with his Tim Bits Showing or a lady with her sagging yolks in plain sight asking for two Egg McMuffins.. Try as you will this mental image will stay with you all day. Aaaaaaaaaaaah!


Peter in MB
said

Maybe the next time I am on my way home from the gun club I will not lock up my gun in the trunk of my car, I will just keep it on my hip as I order a teen burger. I have the right to Freedom of expression of my red neck coulter after all… the gun is not loaded and I have the right to where it just as someone wears a gold necklaces? Heck, I will go to the human rights commission and say that its part of my red neck coulter to carry a gun…Somehow I don’t think that would go over well… yes I know im being silly but there has been some silly cases won buy people in court. I don’t get why we always pander to all these special interest groups and weirdoes. Why cant we just tell them NO!!! this is Canada and you cant do that!


Peter in MB
said

Okay so Brian Coldin drives up to a Tim hotens and does not have his wallet then goes to an A&W and does the same thing. The 2nd time was a deliberate action!!! Also how come no one else that lives on this nudist resort has ever done this sort of thing? Probably because Unlike Brian Coldin they show respect other peoples Rights!!! Brian Coldin is a sick pervert…


JorgeCalgary
said

The nudity laws and the prudishness seen in North America are absolutely ridiculous. So you don't want to see fat naked people. Does you mean slim good looking naked people are only acceptable? Listen to yourselves as you perpetuate the body image myth prevalent in our society. If nudity was more prevalent there would be more tolerance of body sizing and body image. There is no danger in basic nudity, perverts can be clothed or unclothed and there are already laws to protect us in those cases. You live your life and let others live theirs. I see more sexual dressing on display in our local malls than any sexiness at a nude beach. What are we teaching our youngsters when sexy clothes are more acceptable than the naked body we were born with?


Laurie
said

only in left-wing Canada. How idiotic!


Cliff
said

No right is absolute, as absolute rights cannot co-exist! Why shoud people be allowed to run around displaying all they have, when the sight of some might make the rest of us gag! Display of genitals should be kept in private between consenting adults!


Exhibitionism
said

The problem with nudity is that it has been associated with sex. We are born naked. What is more erotic a naked woman or a woman with really short hot pants or a super sexy bathing suit? I was raised in Europe where nudity was never a problem and spent all my holidays on public nude beaches, not ghetto nude beaches like in North America. I have never seen any one with an erection on the beach and I never had any erotic thoughts while I was there. There were people of all forms and shapes, some beautiful some pretty ugly, just real life!I think there is a huge difference between being nude and exhibitionism but exhibitionism can only exist if there is a repressive law saying that nudity is bad and illegal!


princessrobyd@gmail.com
said

The drive-thru worker at the Tim Horton's, and every one of us who works Customer Service deserve to be able to do our jobs without being sexually harassed, which is what this man is doing. Under Canada's new Bill 160, this could be considered workplace harassment.


Anti new Canada
said

WOW! What a pathetic bunch we have become! Typical Canucks, always afraid to offend anyone. Well, illegal or not, had the poor girl that works the window been my daughter, the last thing the red-neck would be concerned with is being charged!That's fine. Just keep on allowing nasty acts to become legal, dangerous criminals to run free and wait and see the vigilanty justice that comes of it! I for one can't wait! I am very much looking forward to being my own little police/judge and jury all wrapped into one!


Chico
said

Whatever happened to that law regarding women being able to go topless? Isn't that the same thing?


Brandon
said

Speaking of public nudity... Why are people allowed to participate in the Pride Parade naked? And then afterword, I saw several people walking on Church Street naked.... I fully support people's right to be themselves and no longer hide in closets... But when they do come out of their closets... OMG I do hope that they put their clothes on first... Next parade... Please show that you have some self-respect by strutting your stuff fully clothed... Thanks for respecting my children and my grandchildren...


Ivan
said

It should be a thumb up/thumbs down sort of thing. Some people should never ever be allowed to be nude in public, while others should be nude as much as they want.


Mike (Ottawa)
said

I'm with you Paul. They are blinded by their own blind condition and can't see the forest for the trees nor do they want to. I don't see this getting any better until after the trib then things will change for the better.


Uncommon sense!
said

No doubt the looney left will try through the lawyers to try and abolish any and all laws pertaining to common sense decency and morality. The fact the woman at the drive through was upset speaks volumes about how inappropriate this kind of immoral irrational behaviour really is. We have guidelines and this clown was way over the edge trying to force an issue which doesn't need changes.


Prof. Pye Chartt
said

As a principled non-financial supporter of "Nudity Is Perfectly Awesome" (NIPA) , I'm appalled at this man's criminal plight. In 1996, the Ontario Court of Appeal established that the exposure of a woman's breasts is neither a sexually inappropriate or indecent act. If seeing somebody dressed in their invisible nature clothes makes you feel "uncomfortable," well, too bad. Why is nudity automatically sexualized? Why are we so up tight about the naked human form? Our society already has laws on the books to address genuine public indecency. (One thing I learned from this story is that my late-night dance routines in the window of our Master Bedroom, largely for the sake of a couple prudish neighbors, could land me in real trouble.) The fact that the A&W employee offended by Mr. Coldin's naked body (genitals, allegedly) "wept on the stand" perhaps indicates that the reaction was not typical. Most folks, I suspect, would be "amused," not seriously offended and upset. (Good work-related story to tell.) Hopefully the Ontario court will strip away our societal hang-ups surrounding nudity by rendering a progressive decision that effectively desexualizes nudity. Showing the world our natural selves, what God gave us, shouldn't be considered a criminal act. That notion, in and of itself, is shameful and indecent. (P.S. Having said all this, my sole experience at a nudist beach constituted a buffet of awkwardness and sky-glancing.)


Mark in Wpg
said

The problem is that those people who are comfortable enough with their bodies to go nude rarely should be.


S in Vancouver
said

"She wept on the stand as she testified she could see his genitals." I think that sentence speaks volumes about what's wrong with our culture. Repeal the law - it was silly in the first place. If someone is uncomfortable being around naked people, that is their own psychological problem they should deal with. Nudity and sex are not the same thing. Perhaps one day Canadians will remember that.


Wayne
said

well... what people do is up to them. Whether good or bad. It is not up for me to sit on judgement, however I wonder what is hidden in the mind when someone drives around naked. Sounds like he wants to make a statement and it doesnt seem that healthy. What is next? Go to his grandkids birthday party naked. Just for thought.


KJ
said

The problem with this country is that lawyers look to profit in every situation. Common sense needs to prevail and if someone wants to run around with no clothes on then do it where the rest of us don't have to see them. Many people do not keep their bodies in great shape and if you want to run around nude then be prepared for comments that you may not want to hear coming your way. This I base on the same arguments these lawyers want to push - freedom of expression and freedom of speech! Has to work both ways here.


JustJeff1972
said

Umm, why?


Paul
said

Adam and Eve were blinded to their nudity by holiness. Today they are blinded by sin. They are arguing for nudity, and they don't realize that they are already wandering around for the most part 99.9 per cent naked already. Just brings us one step closer to going home. Even so Lord come quickly.


ONE CANADIAN
said

I think we need to look at the nudity laws with some discretion, I mean do we really want to expose our 14 to 17 year old kids working at Tim's Drive thru to someones nuts? Don't you think thats a little too much to take in for your first job.. I agree that walking in your house naked should be your perogative, no doubt, but have the descency to close the blinds...


hemusbull
said

Isn't it the same issue we had years ago with women's tops? Well, this can't be considered as a crime instead public misdemeniour. What is important is the fact that taxpayer's money should not be wasted for this stupidity.


No crop circles in London
said

I wonder if the odd circular marks on the driver's seat would be reported on the Car Fax? Better give him extra napkins with his order haha!


Keith in Brampton
said

There is absolutely no need for anyone to be nude in a public place. It goes beyond the bounds of decency to expose one's genitals where others who may not want to see them are given no option. As for the "while exposed to the public while in a private place" portion of s. 174, I would imagine the Crown would have to prove mens rea - i.e. that the person was aware that the public could easily see him or her, and acted deliberately - in order to get a conviction.


Donny in Edmonton
said

Here we go again. As soon as someone brings "rights" into the picture, the whole thing turns into a battle of one person's rights vs. another's "right" to infringe upon the rights of others.Some things just aren't worth it. If they let this guy go, it will only pave the way for some pervert to flash their genetalia to say an elementary school on the playground and get away with it because it's their "right". Trust me, you're going to want to keep your pants on for this one.


Joel Bain
said

Why is it that everyone feels that we must all accept other's "expression"? Is it not our own freedom expression to reject other's expressions due to opinion or disagreement? Personally, I don't want to have to see naked people walking around, as I'm pretty certain that most will be the ones that you truly do not want to see naked.


Hunter
said

Driving in a car naked? If he's so much for it, did he show up naked? This is a waste of tax payers money. I for one do not want to see him naked and in your own back yard and at a beach is perfectly fine but leave some beaches with no nudity please, the world doesn't need to see my big butt.


Lynn
said

Ensuring the public's safety is the responsibility of our government. Genital nudity in public promotes a genuine sense of fear in women and a false sense of fearlessness in some men, let alone the natural and genuine fear children sense in such situations as well. And we don't need to deal with more opportunities for contagion such as public nudity provides. I hope those entrusted with our judicial system don't do anything stupid with these laws. Nothing prudish about just being intelligent.


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