CCLA on Toronto’s Proposed Bubble Zone Bylaw

TORONTO — On May 16, 2025, CCLA and the Centre for Free Expression sent a letter to Toronto City Councillors urging them to vote against a proposed bubble zone bylaw that would prohibit peaceful protests near social infrastructures.

“Working toward a more inclusive and equal society is a goal both our organizations share. It is also one that the government must pursue without unreasonably and unjustifiably infringing on fundamental freedoms. In this regard, we acknowledge the care with which the municipal staff have drafted the Proposed Bylaw, which is less rights-infringing than other bylaws recently adopted in other municipalities.

Having said that, our position remains that this bylaw represents a significant risk to peaceful expression and assembly, and on balance is not necessary in light of the already-existing police powers.

The public consultation conducted by the City itself shows that the majority of the population does not consider a bubble zone by law to be necessary. This popular position is consistent with the Proposed Bylaw’s legal implications.

The text of the Proposed Bylaw clearly states that its purpose is to prevent access to certain community infrastructure from being impeded. However, the police already have broad powers to protect access to property and to intervene in the event of a threat to human physical safety, including during protests. Therefore, a new bylaw is simply unnecessary—as acknowledged by Toronto’s very own police service.”

Lire ICI CCLA’s and CFE’s full letter to Toronto City Councillors.