Naturists turn out in support of nudist on trial in Bracebridge

BRACEBRIDGE, Ont. – Naturists have turned out at a courthouse in Ontario’s cottage country in support of a man who is challenging the constitutionality of Canada’s nudity laws.

Lawyers for Brian Coldin have been arguing all morning in an Ontario court in Bracebridge, Ont., that it should no longer be a criminal offence to be naked in public.

Coldin has been on trial for an incident in which he was nude at a local Tim Hortons and an A&W restaurant.

Stephane Deschenes, who owns nearby naturist park Bare Oaks, says not all naturists support Coldin since some prefer to be nude in private settings.

But he says he wants Coldin to win since he doesn’t believe nudity should be a criminal offence on par with murder, robbery and assault.

Crown attorney Zachary Green is arguing the law is less of an infringement on Coldin’s rights to be nude than it is on those forced to see him without clothes.

Deschenes does not expect the judge will give a verdict on the constitutionality of the nudity laws today.

It’s also possible the judge will decide not to rule on the constitutionality question and instead simply rule on whether Coldin is guilty or not at a future date.

"I’m not looking to be nude in public, but I don’t think it should be a criminal offence," said Deschenes outside the courthouse today.

Deschenes testified during the trail at the request of Coldin’s lawyers.