In May, city council passed a bylaw allowing schools, places of worship and childcare centres to apply to restrict demonstrations within 50 metres of those venues. The fine for breaking the bylaw is up to $5,000.
The bylaw was introduced after protests were held outside events where real estate companies were promoting the sale of lands in Palestine’s West Bank, which is illegally occupied by Israel. Some of these events were held at synagogues, and several protests were led by Jewish critics of Israel.
Still, the bylaw received widespread support at council, passing by a vote of 16 to nine, with Mayor Olivia Chow voting in favour.
After the debate, a leaked document obtained by The Toronto Star showed the city’s own lawyers’ opinion was that “the bylaw likely infringes the Charter [of Rights and Freedoms]” but that the city could try to argue it was reasonable.
During debate, Parkdale–High Park Councillor Gord Perks put forward a motion to make that advice public, and although Chow voted for it, the motion failed 12 to 13.
This article appeared in the 2025 Summer issue.
