Tourists could find breastfeeding in public a challenge in Calgary

"...international arrivals are up 9 per cent in
Calgary this year..."
 Calgary Herald, July 23, 2015

Tourism is an important business in Calgary, more-so as oil and gas falters. And with the dollar at 75 cents US, tourism destinations like Banff and Calgary have seen an influx of Americans while at the same time the high cost of US travel has many Canadians staying in the country.

What can visitors who are breastfeeding expect to encounter in Calgary? Is it a safe and welcoming city for breastfeeding families?

The recent experiences of several families indicates perhaps it is not.

Last week a Vancouver woman, Andrea, who blogs about her mothering experiences at Mummbles Bumbles, wrote about her experience while breastfeeding at the Sky360 restaurant in the Calgary Tower last week. I guess a few patrons didn't expect the restaurant's offering of "Unforgettable Views" to include views of a mother breastfeeding her child. Andrea was approached by a manager and told her breastfeeding was making others uncomfortable and she was asked to cover. She wrote to the manager:

"...My husband and I are not people to make a fuss. But we were no longer comfortable staying in the restaurant. ... "

The restaurant manager has responded with a half-hearted apology that is negated later in the very same sentence:

"my deepest apologies about this, please know that it was only meant as a request to cover up. I fully realize your rights to breast feed in public and had you said no I would have happily accepted that. I only asked as it was requested by multiple guests, as with all circumstances if multiple guests make certain requests I will try and do my best to accommodate as many people as possible regardless of most situations.   

Last summer a woman was asked by Calgary Stampede staff to cover or move to a nursing room while breastfeeding in the Grandstand at the Chuckwagon Races. (See the list of incidents of breastfeeding discrimination kept by the Breastfeeding Action Committee of Edmonton (BACE).

The Stampede has since indicated it was an error and is revising their policy and protocols for breastfeeding, but it has not yet published its new protocols. The Calgary Stampede website says "areas for breastfeeding mothers are available in the washroom south of the Westjet Skyride and the Lost Kids Centre" but it does not advise patrons that "breastfeeding is welcome anytime, anywhere at the Stampede."

The Alberta Human Rights Commission has issued guidance:

Can women breastfeed in public areas? 
Yes. Human rights tribunals and courts have determined that breastfeeding is an integral part of being a mother. As a result, retailers must allow women who need to breastfeed their children in a public area the opportunity to do so. Retailers should not ask the mother to cover up or move to a different location. While some retailers may wish to provide a private space for breastfeeding, there is no obligation to provide such space, nor is there an obligation for mothers to use such space. 

What does it take to be truly breastfeeding friendly? (Adapted from blog post March, 2013)

1)   Create a written breastfeeding friendly policy. Begin by stating your goal to be a welcoming and safe place for breastfeeding families. Explain that breastfeeding is part of a normal, healthy diet for babies and young children and acknowledge the community has a role to play in supporting and protecting public breastfeeding. Include the specifics of your jurisdiction’s laws and state it is inappropriate or discriminatory to ask a mother to stop breastfeeding, to cover, or to move to a private room, bathroom, or to leave the premises. Clarify that women can choose to breastfeed wherever they happen to be, or they may choose to move to a more private location. 

2)   Ensure staff read and understand the policy. Staff should be able to display a welcoming attitude towards breastfeeding families. Staff should be able to identify a private place (not a washroom) for mothers who may ask. Staff should be prepared to deal sensitively with any concerns another patron may express without infringing on the rights of the breastfeeding mother and child. 

3)   Provide an appropriate, comfortable place in a quiet location for mothers who wish to have privacy. A bathroom is not appropriate. 

4)   Consider making your policy public. Post your policy on your website or in your so everyone, including staff and other patrons, are clear on your support for breastfeeding in public. 

5)   Display the International Breastfeeding Symbol at your entrance. This will tell families you are a safe and welcoming breastfeeding friendly space.

Calgary, you can do better!

Calgary Breastfeeding Matters Group/Calgary Transit 2013 bus ads project.

In 2013 after several egregious examples of breastfeeding discrimination in Calgary including a local radio show host who compared breastfeeding in public to armpit sniffing and "snot rockets," the Calgary Breastfeeding Matters Group partnered with Calgary Transit to run a series of ads support in breastfeeding in public. One tagline was "You'll see strange things in Calgary, breastfeeding isn't one of them."

Apparently Calgary's tourism facility managers didn't get the message.

At a time when Calgarians are addressing safety of women at the Stampede and during hockey finals on the Red Mile, perhaps it's time for the city to also address the safety of women who are harassed and discriminated against for baring their breasts to feed their children.

Calgary needs to take further steps to ensure the city is safe for women by adopting a formal Breastfeeding Friendly policy. A broad pubic education campaign and a commitment to training staff who work with tourists would be good first steps.