Taking action to protect places of worship, schools, childcare facilities and Vaughan’s hospital
Council endorses Member’s Resolution to further safeguard vulnerable community spaces
Mayor Steven Del Duca issued the following statement:
“The right to peaceful protest is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. But our freedoms as Canadians are not without limits. We have a fundamental obligation to each other, and a collective responsibility to build a cohesive society.
“In recent weeks, we have witnessed large scale protests in the City of Vaughan that were extremely disturbing to many of our residents. These demonstrations occurred near synagogues, schools, a residence for adults with developmental disabilities and other vulnerable social infrastructure.
“The images that emerged from these demonstrations were jarring, and not at all in keeping with what the overwhelming majority of Vaughan residents have become accustomed to, or what they are prepared to accept.
“Yesterday, I brought forward a Member’s Resolution that was unanimously endorsed by Council that directed staff to prepare a bylaw that would prohibit demonstrations that intimidate, or incite hatred, violence or intolerance within 100 metres of our vulnerable social infrastructure. The penalty for violating this bylaw would be a fine of not more than $100,000 which is the maximum amount permissible.
“I want to be clear, my resolution does not seek to ban peaceful protests or demonstrations, including those that might occur as part of a labour union strike. These will continue to be permitted.
“My goal is to prevent those protests that cross the line and are clearly no longer peaceful. Protests that intimidate our residents. Protests that incite hatred or violence. Protests that, in my opinion, our Charter was never designed to protect.
“In addition, I want to stress that the bylaw would provide protection to all faith communities in Vaughan equally, as well as all schools, childcare facilities, congregate care facilities and our hospital.
“I am pleased to confirm that I have been in touch with York Regional Police (YRP) Chief Jim MacSween, and he has provided a letter of support for this initiative. My resolution also directed city staff to work closely with YRP on a joint enforcement framework.
“I am confident that taking clear and necessary action will help us continue to build a pluralistic, tolerant, diverse and inclusive community. A community in which people, from all backgrounds and faiths, can create better, more promising lives for themselves and their families.”
LEARN MORE
Mayor Steven Del Duca’s Member’s Resolution (PDF) on Protecting Vaughan’s Vulnerable Social Infrastructure - May 7, 2024
Letter of Support from York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween (PDF)
