Brampton, ON — The City of Brampton is poised to adopt a bylaw prohibiting protests near places of worship, a measure designed to protect sacred spaces following a series of violent demonstrations outside a local Hindu temple earlier this month.
Mayor Patrick Brown underscored the importance of balancing constitutional rights, emphasizing that religious freedom and the right to protest can coexist within legal boundaries.
“Whether you go to a Mandir (a Hindu temple), a Gurdwara (a Sikh place of worship), a synagogue, a mosque, or a church, everyone has the right to pray free from harassment,” said Brown. “We sought outside legal opinions to make sure it met the legal threshold. In Canada, when one right infringes on another, you can put a limit on those rights to support both.”
He added, “There’s a right to protest in Canada that’s constitutionally protected, but there’s also a right to religious freedom that is constitutionally and charter-protected. We feel in Brampton, we found the right balance.”
The bylaw is a response to violent protests earlier this month, which saw tensions escalate outside a Hindu temple, requiring Peel Regional Police to step in to maintain public safety. Community leaders and residents have welcomed the move, citing a need to protect the sanctity of religious spaces and uphold Brampton’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Faith leaders from across the city have praised the bylaw as a proactive step in ensuring the safety of worshippers while maintaining the community’s hallmark values of tolerance and mutual respect.
The council’s decision, expected on Wednesday, could set an important precedent for municipalities grappling with similar challenges in safeguarding religious harmony and public order.
