BRAMPTON, Ont. — Metropolis council in Brampton, Ont., unanimously permitted a bylaw Wednesday to limit protest close to locations of worship following a collection of violent demonstrations outdoors a Hindu temple earlier this month, a transfer the mayor says goals to “encourage concord” amid escalating tensions.
The bylaw states that no individual “shall organize or participate in a nuisance demonstration within one hundred metres” of a spot of worship, and it’s “not supposed” to ban peaceable protest.
The movement was dropped at council by Mayor Patrick Brown following two days of violent protests outdoors the Hindu Sabha Mandir, the place tons of of demonstrators gathered weeks in the past. Social media posts on the time appeared to point out protesters clashing, with some holding banners in help of a separate Sikh nation referred to as Khalistan and others holding India’s nationwide flag.
The protests led to a number of arrests and the suspension of a Peel police officer. In addition they prompted statements from a number of high-profile officers – together with the prime ministers of Canada and India – condemning the violence following months of diplomatic tensions between the 2 nations.
In a cellphone interview Wednesday, Brown referred to as the bylaw “an extra device” to make sure that nobody fears going to their place of worship. The Felony Code already contains offences associated to willful disruption of spiritual gatherings.
“We wish to make certain whether or not you go to a mandir, or a gurdwara, mosque, synagogue or church, that everybody can pray free from harassment and intimidation,” Brown mentioned, noting that the bylaw doesn’t apply if the place of worship is rented to a 3rd get together.
Some consultants specializing in freedom of expression have voiced concern in regards to the measure.
Anaïs Bussières McNicoll, director of the elemental freedoms program on the Canadian Civil Liberties Affiliation, criticized the bylaw in a letter to Brampton metropolis council earlier this week, calling its wording “vague, subjective and overly broad.”
“Prohibiting peaceful and otherwise lawful protests near specific locations because of their content would severely infringe freedom of expression and the right to protest peacefully” she wrote.
“We urge you to refrain from shrinking our civic space unduly and unfairly.”
Brown mentioned he believes the CCLA “did not know the particulars” of Brampton’s bylaw, saying that it particularly protects the suitable to wish.
“We consider our bylaw is balanced and meets all authorized necessities,” he mentioned.
James Turk, director of the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan College, advised The Canadian Press earlier this month that the bylaw might deter folks from demonstrating lawfully.
“The one impact of what they’re doing can be to additional prohibit speech by those that are protesting, in addition to to sit back others who might wish to protest,” Turk mentioned on the time.
However Brown disagreed with that concern and mentioned residents are nonetheless free to train their rights.
“I believe there are ample locations to protest. We’re saying you have to protest wherever within the metropolis, simply not outdoors a prayer room,” he mentioned, including that native non secular leaders have been “overwhelmingly supportive” of the bylaw.
Different Ontario cities have thought-about related bylaws. Within the neighbouring municipality of Vaughan, Ont., metropolis council unanimously permitted a bylaw in June to ban “organizing or taking part in a nuisance demonstration” inside 100 metres of “weak social infrastructure” akin to locations of worship, faculties, child-care centres or hospitals.
In Mississauga and Ottawa, metropolis councils have not too long ago handed motions directing workers to check the feasibility of such a bylaw.
For Brown, the aim of the bylaw is to make sure that ongoing tensions in some Brampton communities do not stop folks from going to their place of worship.
“I believe the purpose is that is simply one other device within the device package to encourage concord, to encourage the safety of spiritual freedom,” he mentioned.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Nov. 20, 2024.
Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press
