What’s the story with the breastfeeding stickers I’m seeing in restaurants and rec centres?

What’s the story with the breastfeeding stickers I’m seeing in restaurants and rec centres?

The sticker, featuring a drawing of a Madonna-like woman, is part of Toronto Public Health’s “Anytime. Anywhere” campaign. Since 2008, some 6,100 stickers have been sent to restaurants, libraries and malls to make nursing mothers feel more comfortable, and encourage establishments to train their staff on how best to deal with prudish patrons. The decals are also a reminder that breastfeeding in public is sanctioned by the Ontario Human Rights Commission, a fact that was challenged by Ellie Kar­kouti, the owner of a Newmarket public pool. She assumed the no-eating-in-the-pool rule applied to everyone and asked a mom nursing her babe to cease and desist. The mom filed a human rights complaint against her, and the breastfeeding blogosphere lit up with angry comments. Still, Karkouti maintains she was in the right, proving that even in our PC age, the breastfeeding debate is as persistent as a case of diaper rash.

Question from Deena Rowly, Leaside

Wondering about the waterfront? Curious about construction? Perplexed by politics? Ask the Urban Decoder a question here.