Here is a press release regarding the event and the incident. There is also a yahoo group that people can join if they are interested in following this story called “bf_discrimination_aquacentre”.
Mother told to move to the change room to breastfeed
Violation of Human Rights!
Friday Nov 7th, The Aquacentre Pool at 2:30-3:30pm
1215 Stellar Dr., Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 7B8
On October 24th, the owner of The Aquacentre in Newmarket, Ms. Ellie Karkouti, told Cinira Longuinho, of Woodbridge, who was breastfeeding her baby that if she wanted to breastfeed she had to do it in the change room. The reason given to Ms. Longuinho, at that time, was that another patron of the pool had made a complaint. Being aware of her right to breastfeed, anytime, anywhere, Ms. Longuinho responded by informing the owner that “As per the law I have the right to breastfeed in public”. According to Ms. Longuinho the owner’s answer was “As per the owner – which is me – if you want to breastfeed, you have to do it in the changeroom”.(http://www.breastfeedingalberta.ca/files/BMPC-MainDoc.pdf)Hopefully people will be able to either attend or offer email support to Cinira. There may be other events planned, so I will keep people posted on this site.Feeling degraded, embarrassed and numb, Ms. Longuinho decided to stop nursing her baby and remain in the warmth of the pool. Upon sharing her experience with other mothers, Ms. Longuinho received an overwhelming amount of support and encouragement. Ms. Longuinho decided to return to the pool and exercise her right to breastfeed anywhere anytime because of that support and encouragement.
This Friday, Ms. Longuinho will visit the pool, breastfeeding to meet her child’s needs as usual in hopes of educating the establishment, the public and society that breastfeeding is a human right. It is a human right to breastfeed in a pool, on the pool deck, or in any public place. It is a human right to breastfeed anytime, anywhere as outlined by the Ontario Human Rights Code.
The Policy on Discrimination on Pregnancy and Breastfeeding by the Ontario Human Rights Commission states on page 12, “The Code prohibits discrimination in “services, goods and facilities” against women who are breastfeeding. This means that women have the right to nurse undisturbed, and cannot be prevented from breastfeeding a child in, for example, a public area or restaurant. They also cannot be asked to move to a more “discreet” area to breastfeed a child, or to “cover-up”. Complaints from other persons will not justify interfering with a woman’s right to breastfeed.”
Health Canada launched in 1993 the “Breastfeeding Anytime Anywhere” campaign (Ottawa:Health Canada Communications, K1A 0K9; 1993). According to Health Canada, a supportive environment needs to be created to have “breastfeeding as the socially acceptable and unequaled way of feeding an infant in all settings including schools, workplaces, and other public places.”
Ms. Karkouti was contacted and informed about the Human Rights Code as outlined above by providing her with said document. At that point, her justification changed from that of a patron complaint to a concern that breastmilk is a bodily fluid and breastfeeding would lead to contamination and fouling the pool. Later she went further to say that it is a pool rule that no food or drink is allowed in the pool or on the deck. Once again she was provided with information that dispelled this myth (Breastfeeding at Municipal Pools in Canada:A Report from the Breastfeeding Action Committee of Edmonton August 16, 2002.).
Ms. Longuinho contacted the York Region public health department and the Safe Pools Program which is responsible for pool inspections. Both managers for these departments informed her that there are no written policies prohibiting breastfeeding in pools or stating that they will lead to contamination and fouling of the pool. The Breastfeeding Action Committee of Edmonton report also explored information gathered from the Centre for Disease Control, The World Health Organization and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Within the report it states, “The fact that no where can you find any mention of breastmilk as a contaminant of pool water probably speaks the loudest. It just isn’t a problem, so no one needs to write about it. As far as breastmilk goes, “No Food or Drink in the Pool” rules are inapplicable and unnecessary.”(page 18)
Furthermore, the city of Edmonton changed their policy on breastfeeding in pools as the result of this extensive 50 page report. This report explores, in great depth, the concerns raised that pool water may become contaminated with breastmilk, feces and spit up. It concludes that “No real risks were uncovered, at least no risks any greater than pool operators already encounter on a day-to-day basis in dealing with formula-fed babies, toddlers and young children.” (page 19).
Finally, Ms Longuinho’s motivation for continuing to breastfeed in the pool is to positively influence people’s attitude towards breastfeeding mothers. Ms. Longuinho hopes for more than just the legal right to breastfeed anywhere, anytime, that Ontarians now enjoy. It is her hope that one day, breastfeeding mothers will be safe to enjoy all of the activities available to all Canadians, such as visiting a mall, or restaurant, or pool without fear of being disrespected and even humiliated for exercising that right. Segregation of breastfeeding mothers is not only illegal, but it is also impractical and potentially emotionally damaging for the mother. It is Ms. Longuinho’s hope that breastfeeding mothers are, in fact, encouraged, supported and welcomed.
This issue has resonated with many who have become aware of it. This includes various support groups, nurses, a doctor, lactation consultants and many breastfeeding families who have had to face similar discrimination incidents. We hope that it will also find positive support from your media outlet.
