Vaughan city council endorses proposed bylaw to ban protests near places of worship
Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca says city council has unanimously endorsed a proposed bylaw that would ban protests near places of worship after the city saw a number of demonstrations earlier this year that he said “crossed the line.”
Del Duca said his member’s resolution, presented to council on Tuesday, received the full support of council. Now, city staff are tasked with creating a bylaw that prohibits protests which “intimidate or incite hatred, intolerance or violence” within 100 metres of the city’s “vulnerable social infrastructure.”
“We witnessed large-scale protests here in the city of Vaughan and Thornhill that were extremely disturbing to many of our residents,” Del Duca said at a Wednesday morning news conference. “Those demonstrations occurred near synagogues, schools… and the images that emerged from those demonstrations were extremely 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.”
Those found to be in contravention of the bylaw will face a fine of up to $100,000.
One of the protests Del Duca made reference to in March when the proposed bylaw was first announced was a demonstration that unfolded outside a Thornhill synagogue that month.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators and pro-Israel counter protestors scuffled at times outside of the Clark Avenue West and Bathurst Street place of worship on March 7, resulting in a number of arrests.
Del Duca said he is in contact with York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween, who he said also supports the proposal. Police will now work with the city to develop a “joint enforcement framework” to be included in the bylaw that will go before council.
“I'm confident that by taking clear and necessary action we will be able to continue to build a pluralistic, tolerant, diverse, inclusive community here in Vaughan,” Del Duca said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who had sex with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi still missing after helicopter accident in mountains
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.