Oakville continues public consultation on protests near vulnerable social infrastructure

Draft by-law ready for public input until April 13

After gathering community feedback regarding protests near vulnerable social infrastructure, the town has a draft by-law ready for public input until April 13. 

From February 12 to March 5, 2025, the Town of Oakville partnered with Forum Research Inc. to conduct a telephone and online questionnaire on the proposed development of a by-law aimed at regulating certain forms of protests near vulnerable community infrastructure, such as places of worship, hospitals, schools, daycares, and libraries.

The telephone and online questionnaire results were analyzed and helped guide staff in preparing a draft by-law which is now available on the town’s Potential protest by-law near vulnerable social infrastructure web page.

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.

Members of the public are invited to review the town’s Draft “Safe Access to Vulnerable Social Infrastructure” By-law on the website, where they will also find a form to submit comments. 

Comments are welcome until April 13, 2025, and will inform the next draft going to Town Council for consideration at its meeting on May 1, 2025. 

Residents will be able to delegate at that Council meeting.

For more information, please visit Potential protest by-law near vulnerable social infrastructure web page.

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.