Ban on protests too close to places of worship being considered in Mississauga

A proposed bylaw that would keep demonstrations at least 100 metres away from places of worship in Mississauga is being considered by city officials who this week decided to study the matter further before making a final decision.

Following outbreaks of violence during protests in both Mississauga and Brampton early last month, a Nov. 13 decision by City of Mississauga council directed municipal staff to “consider the feasibility of implementing a bylaw that prohibits demonstrations within 100 metres, or within reasonable distance, of places of worship at the earliest possible time.”

The City of Brampton, which at the time was considering a similar move, enacted a bylaw the following week when on Nov. 20 council there approved new rules that will see anyone who protests at a place of worship subject to a fine of up to $100,000.

Vaughan has also put a bylaw in place that prohibits “nuisance demonstrations” from taking place near places of worship, city officials noted.

In Mississauga, council this week approved a recommendation from senior staff that the city solicitor study the matter further and return in early 2025 with more information.

City solicitor urges proceeding “with caution”

City solicitor Graham Walsh wrote in a report tabled on Wednesday at council that he will “conduct research, consult with experts and hold public consultations as may be necessary to report back to council with a report and, if necessary, a draft bylaw, recommending the preferred course of action to address protests occurring near places of worship.”

In the conclusion of his report, Walsh wrote council should “proceed with caution and that any consideration of the feasibility of such a bylaw should include proper research and consultation with experts and members of the public.”

Walsh noted the bylaw passed by the City of Brampton “was met with written criticism by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Coalition of Hindus of North America.”

Ward 7 Coun. Dipika Damerla tabled the initial motion on Nov. 13 calling for demonstrations to be kept farther away from places of worship.

He added those letters “are informative and highlight the need to proceed with caution when considering bylaws that may restrict the freedom of expression and the people’s right to use public spaces.”

Additionally, the city solicitor’s report noted the opposition Mississauga’s proposed bylaw recently received from the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee, a group representing some 20 Sikh places of worship in Ontario and Quebec.

In a letter to council, that group pushed back on several fronts, including its assertion the proposed bylaw received council support without any consultation with the Sikh community.

The committee’s correspondence noted members also take issue with what has been characterized as violence that took place during a Nov. 3 protest at Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton.

In the letter, the group claims that demonstration “was a lawful and peaceful protest aimed at the consular activities taking place within the facility, not an attack on the place of worship itself.”

The group, which organizes such events as the annual Khalsa Day parade in Mississauga, went on to say via its letter that similar protests have taken place across Canada, “with law enforcement informed and actively engaged at each event.”

Councillor wants to keep people “safe … from intimidation”

The initial motion was brought forth on Nov. 13 by Mississauga Ward 7 Coun. Dipika Damerla, who said she did so with an eye toward keeping people safe and free from intimidation as they attend places of worship in Mississauga. Protests, even relatively peaceful events, are on the rise across the region, she added.

Damerla said she wished “we didn’t have to bring this motion forward … I’m the last person who wants to put any kind of limitations on Charter rights (to protest peacefully). But we are doing this … for faith communities of all sorts. We know these kinds of protests have been going on for some time and they’re very distressing.

“Just imagine for a minute,” Damerla continued at council on Nov. 13, “that you’re going for your regular Sunday service and a Canadian flag is being burned as you go to church. It’s peaceful, it’s allowed, it’s lawful, but what is the signal that it sends as you go to prayer? Because I do believe that prayer is that last sanctuary where we allow grace to even those we don’t like and that line has been crossed over and over again. And that’s why we are here.”

Brampton made its initial move after demonstrations the first week of November led to criminal charges. Four people were arrested after protests reportedly turned violent, spilling into Mississauga as Hindu and Sikh residents clashed.

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah has also pledged his support to making places of worship off-limits to protesters.

He said earlier the November demonstrations outside temples in both Mississauga and Brampton warrant action to keep people safe.