Registration for virtual public sessions is now open. Toronto residents are invited to attend a session to share feedback and input to help inform the development of a proposed bylaw.
The public is invited to participate in the consultation for this proposed bylaw until May 1, 2025.
We appreciate your feedback and input, which will help inform the development of the proposed bylaw that will be presented to City Council. The consultation will gather input around the following:
At its meeting on December 17 and 18, 2024 (2024.CC24.2), Toronto City Council adopted the following decision:
“City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor, applicable City divisions, the Toronto Police Service and other applicable stakeholders, to report to City Council in the first quarter of 2025, informed by public consultations and a constitutional legal expert opinion on the Charter Rights implications from the City Solicitor, with a proposed by-law, with an emphasis on protecting vulnerable institutions such as places of worship, faith-based schools and cultural institutions, that supports the City’s commitment to keeping Torontonians safe from hate and protects Charter rights that address impacts of demonstrations that target people based on their identity as prohibited under the Ontario Human Rights Code.”
If adopted by City Council, a bylaw would apply to public areas owned by the City of Toronto near and connected to vulnerable institutions. Examples of these areas include streets and sidewalks.
The bylaw would not apply to private property, property owned by other governments and it is not intended to prohibit peaceful and lawful demonstrations.
Other municipalities in Canada have adopted bylaws that prohibit certain activities within specific distances of city facilities and institutions. Examples include Brampton, Calgary and Vaughan.
As defined in the City’s Policy Framework – City Response to Demonstrations, demonstrations refer to public gatherings where people assemble around a common purpose as a form of peaceful assembly and expression. Unlike other organized events, the City does not issue permits for demonstrations on publicly accessible City property. Examples of demonstrations include (but are not limited to) protests, rallies and vigils.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects a number of rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly.
Share your experiences and feedback. Complete the survey by May 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
The survey is available in the following languages: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese-Simplified, Chinese-Traditional, English, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hebrew, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Urdu and Vietnamese.
If you have questions about this survey or would like accessibility supports, accommodation and/or a different format, please email engagement@toronto.ca.
Share your input through written submissions. Please note that the below methods of participation are not considered anonymous. Please do not provide any personal information about yourself or other individuals in any of your comments.
Toronto residents are invited to attend one of two virtual public sessions to share feedback and input to help inform the development of a proposed bylaw.
The City Manager’s Office collects your personal information (email address) under the legal authority of Toronto City Council Item 2024.CC24.2, as confirmed by the City of Toronto By-law 1438-2024. The information is used to obtain your feedback about the development of a proposed bylaw and to report to Toronto City Council. Questions about this collection can be directed to Governance and Corporate Strategy, C/O City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, Floor 10, East Tower, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2N2.