Ontario cities consider bylaws to prohibit protests near schools, places of worship

As Brampton, Ont., deals with the fallout of 2 days of convulsive protests extracurricular a Hindu temple, other Ontario cities are besides considering enacting section laws that would prohibit protests adjacent institutions specified arsenic schools, hospitals and places of worship.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said helium plans to bring a question to metropolis assembly to see specified a bylaw aft unit erupted arsenic hundreds of demonstrators gathered Sunday extracurricular the Hindu Sabha Mandir, which led to the apprehension of 3 people.

That demonstration, initiated by Sikh separatists who question an autarkic federation called Khalistan, spurred a counter-protest astatine the temple connected Monday night, wherever constabulary allege immoderate successful the assemblage were carrying weapons and throwing objects.

In the neighbouring municipality of Vaughan, Ont., metropolis assembly unanimously approved a bylaw successful June to prohibit “organizing oregon participating successful a nuisance demonstration” wrong 100 metres of “vulnerable societal infrastructure” specified arsenic places of worship, schools, child-care centres oregon hospitals.

The City of Vaughan says the bylaw is “not intended to prohibit peaceful gatherings, protests oregon demonstrations,” including those that are portion of a labour national strike.

Last week, Ottawa metropolis assembly voted to survey the feasibility of a akin bylaw, with plans for unit to study their findings by aboriginal adjacent year.

Ottawa Coun. Allan Hubley, who moved the motion, says escalating tensions during immoderate demonstrations successful the metropolis prompted him and different councillors to see taking legislative enactment that would support susceptible institutions without restricting the close to protest.

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Hubley says helium hopes specified a bylaw would marque residents consciousness safer, portion promoting peaceful protestation successful the city.