Limits on where protests can be held coming after demonstrations turn violent in Brampton 

The mayor’s push to ban protests near places of worship following violent demonstrations in Brampton has unanimous support from city council, but could face legal challenges down the road.

Both Mississauga and Brampton are looking to introduce bylaws to establish community safety zones around places of worship after demonstrations last week led to criminal charges.

Four people have been arrested and charged after protests turned violent in Brampton last week, spilling into Mississauga as Hindu and Sikh residents clashed.

While Mayor Patrick Brown acknowledged that the right to protest is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, he said demonstrations can’t also infringe on people’s right “to go and pray free of violence, intimidation and harassment.”

On Wednesday, a committee of Brampton City Council unanimously approved a motion from the mayor that will see the city work with Peel Police, faith groups, and other levels of government to craft a bylaw banning protests at places of worship “while balancing the fundamental importance of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.”

Coun. Pat Fortini suggested expanding the motion to include schools, but Brown said the motion could face legal challenges so the scope was limited to places of worship to limit the strength of any opposition.

No details have been shared around what the specifics of the ban could look like, however, Mississauga City Council also passed a motion on Wednesday that will prohibit “demonstrations within 100 metres, or within reasonable distance, of place of worship at the earliest possible time.”

Once drafted the proposed bylaw will have to go for city council at a later date for final approval.

The recent protests in Brampton have been at Hindu and Sikh temples but Brown said “everyone should be able to go and pray free of violence, intimidation and harassment” regardless of faith.

The violence started on Nov. 3 when a clash took place at Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton with some carrying flags and banners in support of the successionist movement for an independent Sikh state of Khalistan.

The next day, a massive group of those associated with the Hindu temple attempted to march towards a Sikh temple in Mississauga but were thwarted by police, which led to skirmishes.

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah has thrown his support behind the proposed bylaws to make places of worship off-limits to protestors.

“We are confident that by working with all levels of government, places of worship, law enforcement agencies, we can continue to build a tolerant, diverse and inclusive community that is safe for all residents,” the Brampton motion reads.

Demonstrations have also been held at Westwood Mall in the Malton area of Mississauga, and police said two planned visits by the Indian consulate scheduled in Mississauga and Brampton this weekend have been pushed back “to allow for tensions to ease.”