Potential Protest By-law Near Vulnerable Social Infrastructure

Town initiates public consultation

Following a direction from Council, the Town of Oakville is engaging in public consultation on the development of a by-law aimed at regulating certain forms of protests near vulnerable social infrastructure, such as places of worship, hospitals, schools, daycares and libraries.

In recognizing the diverse opinions within Oakville, town staff are looking to gain insight on the community’s sentiments around regulating activities impeding access to such facilities while balancing the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Public engagement

Next steps

The telephone and online questionnaire results will be analyzed and help guide staff in preparing a draft by-law for Council’s consideration.

All information from the public consultation will be summarized in a staff report to be presented to Town Council at its April 28, 2025 meeting along with a draft by-law.

Prior to the April 28 Council meeting, the draft by-law will be made available on the town’s website for additional community input.

Residents will also be able to delegate at that Council meeting.

Background

Following receipt of the Roles and Responsibilities in Managing Protests staff report at the December 16, 2024 Council Meeting, Oakville Town Council directed staff to engage in virtual public consultation and to research and investigate a draft by-law for Oakville to address certain forms of protests within a reasonable distance of vulnerable community infrastructure. The by-law is intended to be focused on activities impeding public access to essential community facilities, such as places of worship, schools, hospitals, libraries and daycares.
Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, individuals have a fundamental right of freedom of expression and freedom to protest and demonstrate peacefully as well as freedom of religion. These fundamental rights can have limits and, as such, there is a need to reasonably and responsibly balance these rights in a justifiable manner.