An avid naturist in British Columbia has started a formal petition to the House of Commons to request that Section 174 of the Criminal Code of Canada be repealed. This section is the part that criminalizes simple nudity in Canada. The petition also asks that a new section be added that makes it impossible for lower levels of government to implement local or more restrictive bylaws.
The naturist has sent notice of the petition to all naturist clubs in Canada that he could identify to ask that they encourage their members to sign the petition. Your ON/NO Board has discussed the content and agrees with the current wording and do support the initiative.
Once the petition has attained 500 signatures, it must be presented to the House and a reply posted within 45 days. This is a very formal process and requires the sponsorship of a Member of Parliament. While she has said that she does not agree with the aims of the petition, Elizabeth May, the formal sponsor, does agree that it is the democratic right of Canadian citizens to raise issues to Parliament.
The closing date for signatures is September 8, 2022 and as of May 20 already has over 600 signatures but the more there are, the more seriously it may be considered. We feel that it will at least open an avenue for discussion.
To sign you will have to provide your name, e-mail address, telephone number and postal code. After you click on ‘Sign’ you will then have to respond to an immediate e-mail to your address to confirm your signature. You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sign.
To see the petition text and to sign it if you wish, go to the House of Commons website by clicking on the link below:
https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-3999
ON/NO Board of Directors