City staff propose 20-metre protest 'bubble zone' for schools, daycares and places of worship
Controversial bylaw would come into effect on July 2, if passed next week in council
City staff are recommending a 20-metre "bubble zone" bylaw aimed at restricting protests around places of worship, daycares and schools in Toronto — a policy that has already prompted hundreds of people, including city councillors, to protest against it, saying it could threaten democracy.
The proposed bylaw, which would not adopt a blanket ban across the city, would operate on a request-based system and allow vulnerable institutions to apply for a 20-metre buffer zone that would be in place for roughly six months.
In order for a buffer zone request to be approved, owners of the institutions would have to demonstrate how they've been affected by a protest within the last 90 days. After the six month period is up, the application could be renewed, the proposed bylaw says.
If passed, Toronto would follow in the footsteps of other cities including Vaughan and Brampton, which implemented similar measures last year after waves of protests and clashes sparked calls for prohibiting such events from taking place near buildings considered to be social infrastructure in the eyes of the city.
Police and bylaw officers are expected to warn individuals in these said zones before issuing fines, allowing them the chance to leave the area voluntarily. If the buffer zone bylaw is passed in Toronto, the maximum penalty for individuals fined would be $5,000.
Staff say the 20-metre buffer is a "reasonable perimeter" that will protect access to the facilities, while being "minimally impairing" on Charter rights.
Council to vote next week
The latest recommendations from Toronto city staff come after months of protesters taking to Toronto streets and demonstrating in front of hospitals, places of worship and cultural centres following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel.
Zeus Eden, spokesperson for Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, said the mayor "believes that any bylaw must protect people's Charter rights to assembly, expression and religion, while addressing community concerns about safety and protecting access to places of worship," in a statement Thursday.
Council will vote on the proposed bylaw next week, which if passed, would come into effect on July 2.
Some councillors had sought the bylaw following the wave of protests, while others joined in demonstrating against such measures.
York Centre Coun. James Pasternak, who is one of the leading voices advocating for the bylaw, said he favours protecting vulnerable institutions from protests through this measure.
But Coun. Paula Fletcher, who represents Toronto—Danforth, attended a rally last month for calls against the bylaw, saying at the time "it's a very fine line that we have to walk" on the proposed bylaw, when it comes to charter rights.
$1.6M earmarked for new bylaw
Staff say the city is expected to spend roughly $1.6 million to hire 12 staff along with purchasing vehicles and laptops required to administer the bylaw. It says another $200,000 will be needed for public education as part of this proposal.
"The City of Toronto is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents, particularly those accessing programs and services at places of worship, schools and childcare centres," said Russell Baker, the city's manager of media relations, in a statement to CBC News Thursday.
Baker said the proposed bylaw amendment builds on an existing city bylaw to "protect these spaces and their visitors from blocked entrances while respecting the rights of individuals to peaceful assembly."
"While the proposed bylaw prohibits certain behaviours, it does not ban peaceful gatherings, protests or demonstrations, including those that occur as part of labour union activities, as long as they do not impede access," Baker said.
He said that this takes into consideration freedom of expression and peaceful assembly that are protected under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
"The City undertook a multi-pronged approach for public consultation to maximize opportunities for public input and enable broad participation and inclusive representation," he said, adding that public consultations were held between March 17 and May 1.
Toronto would follow Vaughan, Brampton
Other cities have implemented such legislation, including Vaughan, Brampton and Calgary.
Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca oversaw the bylaw, which was was drafted and passed by council in seven weeks in early May 2024 following several demonstrations that took place in Thornhill outside a synagogue. Individuals can face penalties of up to $100,000 under the bylaw.
Brampton city council also approved a bylaw in November 2024, prohibiting "nuisance demonstrations" outside places of worship in the municipality following a series of violent clashes.
The bylaw bans protesting within 100 metres of the property line of any place of worship in Brampton. Anyone who violates the bylaw could face a fine anywhere between $500 and $100,000.
Meanwhile, in Ottawa, city councillors are debating whether to proceed with the development of a similar bylaw that would place a buffer between protesters and institutions including places of worship, schools and hospitals — in the name of preventing harassment and hate speech.
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