Quebec MNAs vote to affirm right to breastfeed in public
Breastfeeding in public is still not as comfortable an activity as it should be for women in Quebec, with at least two mothers forced to do battle with retailers over the issue this past month.
Those stories were highlighted by members of the National Assembly on Tuesday when they unanimously adopted a motion stipulating that mothers have the right to breastfeed their children in public places.
The motion, presented by Quebec Solidaire MNA Manon Massé, condemns "any hindrance to this right."
The MNAs also took the opportunity to encourage all "mothers who wish to do so, to breastfeed in public spaces."
The motion follows a recent incident at the Eaton Centre in downtown Montreal, where a security guard removed a woman from the premises who was breastfeeding her baby.
The woman, Isabelle Côté, was upset and subsequently filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission.
Another woman also spoke out after she was asked to leave a Lush cosmetics store for breastfeeding her son.
"It was incredibly embarrassing for me," Aella Morad told CTV.
Both the shopping centre and the store have since apologized and said they would ensure staff are made aware that women can breastfeed their children in their establishments at any time.
Last Sunday about a hundred women attended a demonstration in front of the Eaton Centre to denounce the incident and normalize breastfeeding in public places.
- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on March 29, 2022. With files from CTV News Montreal.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.