Mississauga, ON – The City of Mississauga is weighing the possibility of introducing a bylaw to restrict disruptive protests near places of worship following months of public concern and a directive from council last November.
City Solicitor Graham Walsh, in a report set to be discussed at the upcoming General Committee meeting, cautioned council that adopting such a bylaw could expose the city to “significant legal costs” due to potential constitutional challenges under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The proposed bylaw aims to prevent demonstrations within 100 metres of religious sites, reflecting concerns about public safety and intimidation reported during recent protests in Mississauga and Brampton. The City of Brampton already enacted similar rules last November, imposing fines of up to $100,000 for protest violations near places of worship. Other municipalities, including Vaughan, Calgary, and Toronto, have also moved forward with “buffer zones” or protections for faith-based and cultural institutions.
Council now faces two options:
- Maintain the current approach and push for legislative change at higher levels of government.
- Direct staff to draft a bylaw targeting violent or disruptive demonstrations, to be reviewed this fall.
Walsh emphasized that while freedom of expression must be respected, balancing this with the right to worship in peace and safety is critical. “The city will not interfere with peaceful protests,” a statement noted, “but it also has a duty to ensure public access to community spaces without fear or disruption.”
The motion was originally introduced by Ward 7 Councillor Dipika Damerla following growing unrest around places of worship. While acknowledging the importance of upholding Charter rights, Damerla stressed the need to protect residents of all faiths: “We are doing this for faith communities of all sorts.”
Legal opinions and letters from groups such as the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Coalition of Hindus of North America, and the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee have urged the city to proceed with caution, underscoring the sensitive balance between expression and security.
Further consultations with legal experts, faith leaders, and the public will guide the city’s next steps.