Vaughan votes to pursue bylaw banning hateful protests at places of worship
Article content
The City of Vaughan is moving ahead with a bylaw to ban protests and demonstrations that intimidate and incite hatred at places of worship, schools, hospitals, and childcare and congregate care facilities.
Mayor Steven Del Duca introduced a resolution on Tuesday proposing city staff come up with a bylaw that would prohibit hateful gatherings within 100 metres or a reasonable distance of vulnerable social infrastructure, which city council unanimously endorsed directing staff to prepare.
“The right to peaceful protest is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” Del Duca said in a statement. “But our freedoms as Canadians are not without limits. We have a fundamental obligation to each other, and a collective responsibility to build a cohesive society.”
Del Duca suggested a fine of up to $100,000 for any person who violates the proposed bylaw.
In recent months, pro-Palestinian protesters held demonstrations near synagogues, schools and a residence for adults with developmental disabilities.
“The images that emerged from these demonstrations were jarring, and not at all in keeping with what the overwhelming majority of Vaughan residents have become accustomed to, or what they are prepared to accept,” Del Duca said.
The mayor said the intent of the bylaw is to not restrict peaceful protests or labour union strikes, and that all faith communities will be protected.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
“My goal is to prevent those protests that cross the line and are clearly no longer peaceful. Protests that intimidate our residents. Protests that incite hatred or violence. Protests that, in my opinion, our Charter was never designed to protect.”
In March, the mayor had promised to put forward a member’s resolution to protect the city’s vulnerable social infrastructure following two large-scale protests in Thornhill.
“I am confident that taking clear and necessary action will help us continue to build a pluralistic, tolerant, diverse and inclusive community,” the mayor said. “A community in which people, from all backgrounds and faiths, can create better, more promising lives for themselves and their families.”
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.