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Katz apologizes to breastfeeding mom for pool incident

By: Jen Skerritt

Posted: 05/20/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

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Jenna Baker: pleased with apology (PHIL.HOSSACK@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

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MAYOR Sam Katz apologized Wednesday to a local mother who was told breastfeeding at a public pool was "offensive," and human rights officials have offered to educate all city employees about a woman's right to nurse a child.

Jenna Baker said Katz contacted her about the May 10 incident at Pan Am Pool. The 28-year-old mother of two wasn't home, but she said Katz left her a message apologizing for what happened and how the incident was handled.

Last week, Baker breastfed her 11-month-old daughter at the Pan Am Pool following her infant's morning swim class. Baker was stunned when a female staff member followed her into the change room afterwards and told her what she did was "offensive."

Initially, city officials contested Baker's version of events and said pool staff received several complaints from patrons after a woman attempted to nurse her baby in the pool.

Baker said she wasn't in the pool that day and breastfed her daughter while sitting in a chair, more than a metre away from the pool's edge.

"I was definitely pleased to hear the city is taking responsibility and apologizing for the City of Winnipeg employee who encountered me and told me breastfeeding was offensive," Baker said. "(Katz) did apologize for how it was handled."

The apology came the same day the Manitoba Human Rights Commission offered to work with the city to launch an educational campaign about breastfeeding in public facilities, including libraries and community clubs. Executive director Dianna Scarth said the city should make it clear nursing mothers are welcome and that a woman's right to breastfeed is protected under the human rights legislation.

Scarth said the idea breastfeeding may offend other patrons or customers is not a legitimate reason to refuse a woman that right and that court rulings have dismissed it as "a very archaic idea."

"It is an area where there appears to be quite a bit of misunderstanding," Scarth said.

"It is a human rights issue. It's not a question of whether you think it's a good idea or a bad idea, it really would be like someone saying, 'I don't think women should be allowed in this restaurant' or, 'I don't think people of a certain ethnic origin should be (allowed).' "

City of Winnipeg spokeswoman Michelle Bailey said officials plan to remind all staff of a woman's right to breastfeed in city-owned facilities, noting the decision to do so was made before human rights officials contacted them. Bailey confirmed the city will also issue a formal letter of apology to Baker.

Baker said support from local women has been overwhelming and close to 100 nursing mothers have expressed interest in participating in a mass nurse-in at Pan Am Pool this Friday night.

"They don't need to be hidden under a blanket or in a bathroom," Baker said.

jen.skerritt@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 20, 2010 A4

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