A new report to be discussed at city hall recommends council pass a bylaw that would require protestors to stand a specific distance away from community facilities. The Safe Access to Vulnerable Infrastructure Bylaw would make it so “disruptive protests” couldn’t be too close to specific buildings, and they wouldn’t be allowed to threaten anyone who is using the facility. The bylaw would require protestors to stand 100 metres away from a multitude of facilities, including health-care centres, cultural buildings, schools, community centres, city-owned cemeteries, and libraries. If people were caught breaking the bylaw, they would be fined $500 for a first offence, $1,000 for a second, and $5,000 for a third and all following offences. “While we completely respect and value people’s right to gather and express themselves, we have a duty to ensure all spaces are safe and accessible to those who want or need to visit them,” said Coun. Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood). The report noted similar practices are going on in other jurisdictions across the country, including Toronto, Calgary, and Brampton. Mayor Scott Gillingham noted the federal and provincial governments are also exploring similar processes. “We’ve got the three levels of government coming in at the same time with either legislation, or in our case a bylaw, to make sure that we can have both existing and that those who need to move in and out of their places of worship or school or daycare or whatever the place may be, can do so freely,” said Gillingham. The mayor said he doesn’t believe this bylaw would infringe on anyone’s freedoms, adding it has been reviewed by the city’s legal team. “There’s a way for all of us, I think, to kind of coexist, allowing people to maintain their right to rally and protest, but at the same time, I think it’s very reasonable that you shouldn’t be subjected to anything that people may feel would be intimidating when they’re trying to access the place they’re going to.” This bylaw would not apply to any activities that are related to labour disputes or collective bargaining. The executive policy committee will discuss the proposed bylaw on Feb. 17, with all of council weighing in on Feb. 26.
