Ontario seeks feedback on legislation to restrict protests at key infrastructure
The Ford government is consulting on measures to prohibit obstruction of roadways, bridges, and community institutions like schools and places of worship.
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The Ontario government is consulting the public on measures to maintain obstruction-free access to key infrastructure, including religious institutions and culturally-specific community centres. The Ministry of the Solicitor General is leading the consultation.
Options under consideration include both legislative and non-legislative changes. Proposed legislation would prohibit individuals from obstructing roadways, overpasses and bridges, and would allow police to direct individuals to cease intimidating or obstructing access to community and cultural institutions. The proposal would require individuals to provide identifying information, with arrest powers available for anyone who refuses to identify themselves—though arrests would only be used where identity cannot otherwise be ascertained and solely for the purpose of laying obstruction or intimidation charges related to protected infrastructure.
The move is aimed at providing "the public's safe access to key economic and community infrastructure that is free from obstruction and intimidation." Similar measures already exist as municipal bylaws in Vaughan, Brampton, and Toronto. Toronto approved a "bubble zone" bylaw in May that expands exclusion zones around places of worship from 20 to 50 metres, extends protection to one year instead of six months, and imposes fines up to $5,000 on violators—who can also be arrested for non-compliance. Brampton's City Council also approved a bylaw making it illegal to organize or participate in nuisance demonstrations within 100 metres of any place of worship.
What counts as 'intimidation' or 'obstruction' under the proposed legislation, and who determines this?
How will the arrest powers for refusing to identify be reconciled with existing Charter rights around identification?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
What types of locations would the proposed Ontario legislation protect?
The legislation would prohibit obstruction of roadways, overpasses, bridges, and community and cultural institutions including religious institutions, schools, and places of worship.
What enforcement powers would police have under the proposed legislation?
Police would be able to direct individuals to cease intimidating or obstructing access to protected infrastructure, require people to provide identifying information, and make arrests for refusal to identify themselves—though only where identity cannot otherwise be determined and solely for obstruction or intimidation charges.
What are the penalties under Toronto's existing 'bubble zone' bylaw?
Toronto's bylaw, approved in May, imposes fines up to $5,000 on violators and allows arrest for non-compliance. The bylaw expands exclusion zones around places of worship from 20 to 50 metres and extends protection to one year instead of six months.
