For the second time in four years, the leader of the Green Party of Canada has sponsored a petition asking the federal government to legalize “non-sexual” public nudity. The latest petition, launched by Gibsons, B.C., resident Scott Bleackley, argues recreational naturism is “enjoyed by a significant percentage of Canadians,” and should be allowed in the absence of lewd or otherwise unlawful behaviour. It calls for the Criminal Code—which currently outlaws being “nude in a public place”—to be amended to assert that nakedness “does not, in itself, constitute indecent conduct.” When May sponsored a similar petition in 2022, she told CTV News she did not support the push to allow public nudity, only the petitioners’ right to be heard by government. Asked about May’s decision to sponsor this latest effort, a Green Party spokesperson said the Saanich-Gulf Islands MP’s position on the matter “remains the same.” “She believes it is the duty of an MP to ensure citizens can use parliamentary petitions to obtain answers from the government,” the spokesperson said in an email. “Regarding the latest petition, Elizabeth notes that the government has changed since 2022.” A disclaimer on the federal government’s website stresses that authorizing a petition does not mean an MP “endorses the views” being expressed. “Moreover, they do not make any representations about, or assume any liability for, any of the views or information set out in any petition,” the disclaimer adds. Online petitions need at least 500 signatures in order to certified, which is required before they can be tabled in the House of Commons. The previous nudity petition—started by James Andrew Porter of North Saanich, B.C.—was signed 1,760 times, then presented by May in December 2022. A response tabled by the government said the criminal prohibition against public nudity plays a role in “protecting the public from harmful conduct,” while also noting “not all acts of public nudity are criminal.” “The Government of Canada recognizes that these offences, and their application, raise diverse views and remains committed to examining them to ensure that they best meet their objectives,” the response continued. Nudity is already legal in a limited number of designated areas, such as Vancouver’s Wreck Beach. Courts in several provinces, including B.C., have also established the right of women to be topless in public. Even disrobing on private property can be illegal, however, when done in public view. The latest petition, which will remain open until March 2, had been signed 365 times as of Tuesday afternoon.
