CCF warns Toronto City Council that new “bubblezone” bylaw banning protests will face legal challenge

TORONTO: The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) is warning the City of Toronto that their recently passed “bubble zone” law is an unconstitutional limit on the right to protest. The Toronto bubble zone passed a council vote on May 22 after hours of debate. The law will create optional 50-metre bubble zones that prohibit protests around certain places; places of worship, schools and childcare centres. The law will allow these places to request protesters be barred from city property around their facilities, including barring them from sidewalks, grass and roads.

“The right to protest is a fundamental right of Canadians. This new bylaw will prohibitpublic protests on matters of public interest and will unjustifiably infringe on the right to freedom of expression,” said CCF Litigation Director, Christine Van Geyn. “While many Canadians disagree with and are upset with some of the protests we have seen in Toronto lately, there is no right not to be offended. In a democratic and pluralistic society we should expect to be faced with people we disagree with. This builds resilience in our society.”

The Toronto bubble zone is part of a recent trend which has seen bubble zones popping up in different parts of the country in response to protests that cover the political spectrum. There are similar bubble zones in Calgary, Vaughan and Oakville. The Calgary bylaw is already subject to a legal challenge brought by the Canadian Constitution Foundation.

“While we await the outcome of our challenge to the Calgary bylaw, Toronto should be aware that their bylaw is similarly constitutionally vulnerable and will almost certainly be subject to a legal challenge,” concluded Van Geyn.

The CCF is a registered charity, independent and non-partisan. We defend the constitutional rights and freedoms of Canadians in the courts of law and public opinion. Members of the public interested in supporting this case and others like it can make a tax deductible charitable donation at The Canadian Constitution Foundation.

For further information, contact:
Christine Van Geyn
Litigation Director
Canadian Constitution Foundation
1-888-695-9105 x.103
cvangeyn@theccf.ca
Joanna Baron
Executive Director
Canadian Constitution Foundation
1-888-695-9105 x. 101
jbaron@theccf.ca

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