Toronto City Council Approves Controversial 'Bubble Zone' Bylaw

 

Toronto City Council has approved a controversial 'Bubble Zone' bylaw. The bubble zone bylaw would regulate protests around places of worship, schools and daycares. After a full day of debate, Toronto City Council approved the bylaw. The bylaw was approved by 16 votes in favor, with 9 against.

Violators of the 'bubble zone' could face fines of up to $5,000. Failure to pay the fine could result in arrest. The bylaw would apply to 3,000 locations across the city, according to councillors. For more than a year, city council has struggled to impose a ban on protests outside places of worship and other vulnerable institutions. The new bylaw follows a series of hearings and hearings that have been ongoing for months. Coun. Brad Bradford, who voted in favor of the resolution, said the new bylaw protects the right to protest. "There are many places where you can protest. But it doesn't allow people to be intimidated in a hateful way, including in places of worship," he said.