Send to Printer Visit Yahoo! Canada Lifestyle

Canada's sexual history

Posted Tue, Jun 30, 2009

While Pierre Trudeau's statement that the government had no business in the bedrooms of the nation undoubtedly influenced Canadian sexual values, it was in fact the bill he was introducing at the time -- the 1967 Omnibus Bill -- that has probably had more impact on our national sexual identity than any piece of legislation since. This bill made birth control and abortion more available, divorce more accessible, and removed homosexuality from the Criminal Code.

Less than a decade previous to this Canada wasn't quite as sexually liberal. The D.H. Lawrence classic Lady Chatterly's Lover was considered criminally obscene at least in Quebec as late at 1959.

But a decade after the Omnibus bill, in 1977, Quebec became the first province to include sexual orientation in its Human Rights Code. It took the Supreme Court of Canada until 1995 to rule that sexual orientation is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms but the feds made up for it by becoming the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2005.

And, in the same year that gay people were celebrating their legal entry into the world of heterosexual monogamy, straight married couples were celebrating their legal right to have recreational sex with someone other than their partner when, in December of 2005, swingers' club were legalized in Canada.

You could also blame our liberal sexual attitudes on Niagara Falls. According to Chris Gudgeon, author of The Naked Truth: The Untold Story of Sex in Canada, by 1867, Niagara Falls had become the Honeymoon Capital of the World because it was 'a potent symbol of the awesome natural limitlessness of the new country.' From the start, Gudgeon argues, 'Canada and sex were linked in the world's imagination.'

Our sexy rep has been solidified by people like Gwen Jacobs who took off her top on a hot day in Guelph, Ontario back in 1991, asserting she had just as much right to go topless as men. The court agreed and it became legal for women to go topless in Ontario. Toss in our two official nude beaches, Wreck Beach in Vancouver and Hanlan's Point on Toronto Island, the fact that Toronto is home to the Naked News (nakednews.com) and The History of Contraception Museum, featuring the world's biggest collection of contraceptive devices, and you've got one sexy country.

From Dildo, Newfoundland to Bare Butt Bay in Northern Ontario, Cuddle Lake in Manitoba a and The Nipples off the coast of BC, Happy sexy Canada Day!

Leave a comment | View All 82 Comments »

82 Comments

1. Posted by JOHN R on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Idiotic Jounalism from amateurs!! No facts, foundation or stats. Typically Canadian!
Report Abuse
2. Posted by Klutz on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Canada rocks my world!!
Report Abuse
3. Posted by Roguetheelf24 on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

I'm canadian and proud of it---I just don't agree with the way the our government runs things.
Report Abuse
4. Posted by kustom135 on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

What a waste of print space. Yawn, there are a hundred more interesting topics to pursue, but this woman broadcasts only garbage to impressionable minds. Sex is a bodily function, not a lifestyle or state of mind. And Gwen Jacobs' 'victory' is about the biggest, flabbiest farce around. Another piece from one the perpetual adolescents who are bent on taking over thought and reducing it to their lowly level. Get lost, Vogels.
Report Abuse
5. Posted by not happy on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Hey John R go bury your head in the sand you putz
Report Abuse
6. Posted by rumteetum on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Yawn
Report Abuse
7. Posted by HOUSE OF KNIGHTS AND LADIES on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

If you knew anything about Canadians, you'd realize they are nothing like this. Not that I am against abortion or homosexuality, but a lot of people think attitudes towards sex, marriage, divorce, the raising of children, money and women's lib are too liberal.
Report Abuse
8. Posted by HOUSE OF KNIGHTS AND LADIES on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Obviously, there is a difference between media image and reality, aka a beautiful model or superstar in designer clothing with good lighting and makeup (has professional training, is young, good genetics, diet, sleep, plastic surgery, vitamins, massage) vs. a fat chick with saggy boobs at age fifty shoving her sinking ship of a butt into clingy spandex, cellulite, bad tans, grey hair, thick glasses and dirty nails.
Report Abuse
9. Posted by ashleigh on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Who cares? IF you are going to talk down about Canada, and think that we are "fake" how the hell can we be fake? At least we have free health care and do not have to pay thousands to see a doctor for 10 minutes. I love lots of places in America, and a lot of Americans are amazing. Except people on here like you, talk trash about Canada, you are trash. haha believe it.
Report Abuse
10. Posted by kustom135 on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Josey Vogels doesn't speak for Canada; she might think she does. Actually, she sounds like she speaks for hedonistic downtown Toronto.
Report Abuse
11. Posted by ted on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

I thinks they are selfish and many of them are so fat with drinking and smoking problems .
Report Abuse
12. Posted by slippery on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

IT REALLY IS TOO BAD THAT PEOPLE THINK WE CANADIANS LIVE IN IGLOOS IN A SNOW COVERED COUNTRY . I AM EXTREMELY PROUD TO BE CANADIAN AND HAVE THE FREEDOMS OR SOLDIERS HAVE WON FOR US AS HAVE THE SOLDIERS OF MANY OTHER NATIONS. WE ARE A PEACEFUL NATION, SLOW TO ANGER, INDEPENDENT, PROUD AND SO FORTUNATE TO LIVE IN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD. MAY I ALSO POINT OUT THAT AMERICA MAY BE THE MOST MILITARILY POWERFUL NATION IN THE WORLD YET LITTLE OLE CANADA IS THE ONLY NATION IN THE WORLD TO HAVE DEFEATED THE AMERICAN S IN BATTLE AND ACTUALLY BURNED THE WHITE HOUSE. WE MAY NEVER BE ABLE TO REPEAT THIS FEAT BUT NOR WILL WE EVER BE CONQUERED AS A PEOPLE.. I LOVE OUR SEXUAL FREEDOM SUCH AS IT IS..LOL ps DO YOU KNOW WHAT WE CANADIANS DO WITH OUR OLD CHEWING GUM??? WE RECYCLE IT AND SELL IT TO THE AMERICANS IN THE FORM OF CONDUMS .... HAVE A GREAT DAY !!!! LOL
Report Abuse
13. Posted by the growing minority..5 gen Canadian on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Only Americans would speak negative about positive points relative to Canada. Its like when our ladies hockey team, and junior hockey team hands the Americans their arses...lmao...too often...but anyway...same old thing..only crying and wishing they had what they couldnt have. Read up^^^ and see how foolish they can be.
Report Abuse
14. Posted by Larry T.C. Ren on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Jornalism 101 seems good along side this tripe!
Report Abuse
15. Posted by Yud on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Eh nice news, i did not know that women could go topless in Ontario.Seems to be a good idea, naturism seems to be a very nice idea for me.Go naked.Yeah!!!
Report Abuse
16. Posted by Flasher on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

I really like Canada in general - but, I've never been so deprived of sex ... until I moved here - and I'm a fairly good looking and nice guy. It's all good, but sexual freedom ... from my experience it's more of a theory here. If it would be for anything I'd leave the country for lack of it. Not that it never happens, but it became rare. I like to say good things about Canada otherwise, but when it comes to this part I rather change the theme.
Report Abuse
17. Posted by Evil Yoda on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

John R,... may want to use spellcheck when calling others amateur at journalism...
Report Abuse
18. Posted by crow on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Jezz...JOHN R...Are you really so gay!!!!!!!!
Report Abuse
19. Posted by yoda131342 on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

if you dont like canada move to another country where you belong.
Report Abuse
20. Posted by Mem on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Wait...What? Why do they have a thing about Sexual History? Gosh, I'm scared to live in Canada now if we're known as a 'good sex country'.
Report Abuse
21. Posted by richard_stere@rogers.com on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

ted where in hell did that come from, and what part of Canada did you see. like many americans ,yes some Canadians are obese. smoking is also another common ailment both Canadians and americans share. please ted have an open mind when it comes between americans and Canadians were more alike then some people like to admit , but we are also a little different. we share many of the same problems that americans have. just try not to stereotype a nation on a few individuals.
Report Abuse
22. Posted by brianfel on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

I guess you must be an umemployed bum asleigh. You have free health care. I don't I pay a fortune in taxes to pay for mine and probably lazy freeloaders like you. Plus I get to wait in line for hours at a hospital and wait months for tests. What a system.
Report Abuse
23. Posted by Gary on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Well no one comes to Yahoo for "real news" although as always its great for entertainment since every idiot can spew their %&#* in comment. Actually perfect for Americans since thats all they EVER DO unless their bombing the hell out of some poor counties to bring FREEDOM and WORLD PEACE! (lol) I am so very thankful I am Canadian, since would have probably killed myself long ago if I was forced to be a American programed en-mass by their government and media. If you look at all the "negitive" comments on these sites, ie this/that sucks, is gay, etc etc etc I'd bet money MOST come from American idiots since unless they are kept busy fighting a war, they just vent their hot air about how their the best, smartest, most powerful, etc etc etc country in the world! LOL for being the most powerful country in the world, they sure got their asses handed to them in New York from... Some guy with a beard living in a cave?! LMAO - yes just shows how powerful that American Intelligence truly is!
Report Abuse
24. Posted by alpha 2 on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

i tell you how i see how sexy canadians are ..im a foreigner . first at 18 the bar is high..you can only look but cannot touch .. at 25 ..they are busy looking for the perfect partnair .. at 30 ..they are busy with work and great career .. at 35 ..they are looking for a decent person to marry .. at 40 ..they are desperate to have kids .. at 45 ..they are are looking for sperm donnors .. at 50 ... they are looking for same sex marriage . at 60.. they talk much about afghanistan n' women rights
Report Abuse
25. Posted by sallys_29 on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

What a stupid article!!!!!!!!!!!! It's not about sex!!!! Please!!!!! I worked on a cruise ship and we are laughed at because we are so liberal! That is from most of the other countries!!! Let's put Canada into the place it once was! Christian! Yes! Christian! We were a great nation and debt free and feared God! Let's give it another go and see what happens again. Revival is back! Not a bad thing!!! It's not Yoko Ono, or John Lenon! Get your heads out of the sand! Look up history and learn!!!!! Have a great Canada Day. You see, churches started holidays and hospitals and schools. get the picture! Isn't God Great!
Report Abuse
26. Posted by yoda131342 on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

to all you who dont like canada or our journalisim suck rod canada is the best and you other guys should move to the states where you fit in.
Report Abuse
27. Posted by Flasher on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

yoda131342: I really like Canada - my family also comes from here, but I grew up in another part of the world. It is a good place, but, I have to say, (and I'm not happy to say that): unfortunately it is not nearly as sexual as some people would like it to look like (including me). Sorry to say that, but it's true :(
Report Abuse
28. Posted by mousetoo2 on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Boy, calling a topless Gwen Jacobs "sexy" is quite a stretch !!!!!!
Report Abuse
29. Posted by kalaslsl on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

There's definitely more sex in Mexico and the USA than in Canada, I know because I've lived in these 3 countries.
Report Abuse
30. Posted by abdullah on Tue, Jun 30, 2009

A day will come when we could witness a punishment from God similar to what happened to Sodom and Gomorah/ Same sex animals don't mate!
Report Abuse