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“Staff came up with a very balanced approach,” said Chow at a press conference Wednesday morning. “And it’s been vetted by our city solicitor, so that is something that I would support. We must protect the fundamental rights to expression, assembly and religion. But also make communities feel safe and protected when they go to pray.”

A proposal to implement bubble zones in º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøwas narrowly defeated last spring.

Supporters of the bylaw say it is necessary to ensure people never have their entry into places of worship impeded. But detractors say it has the potential to erode freedom of speech protections.Ìý

“I was disappointed that the mayor endorsed it,” said James Turk from the Centre for Free Expression at º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøMetropolitan University. “Violence, harassment and hate speech are already illegal. This is an attempt to disallow legal speech. There is no right under the Charter to not be offended.”

Toronto’s iteration of the bylaw, , would allow for the creation of temporary bubbles much smaller than what is seen elsewhere.Ìý

Vaughan, Brampton and Oakville have a blanket ban on protests within 50 to 100 metres of faith-based institutions, such as churches, mosques and synagogues.

The º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøproposal requires building owners to apply for a bubble, proving there was a recent protest outside their institution and that they have reason to believe another protest will happen again soon. The bubble would only extend 20 metres and be active for 180 days.Ìý

Bubble zone regulations have been sought by members of the Jewish community after some Toronto-area synagogues and a church were picketed for hosting events connected to Israel, following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

The largest of these protests last year concerned real estate expos offering congregants advice on moving to Israel or into illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.Ìý

Some members of the Hindu community have also advocated for bubble zones after violence broke out outside a temple during a pro-Khalistani protest in Brampton last year.Ìý

The Coalition for Charter Rights and Freedoms, an anti-bubble zone group made up of civil liberties and pro-Palestinian organizations, said if the bylaw is adopted, it would “prevent community members from holding their institutions accountable for injustice.” 

Coun. James Pasternak, the leading advocate for bubble zones on council, convened a press conference at city hall Wednesday afternoon featuring a multifaith panel who spoke in support of the bylaw.

Hindu Federation president Pandit Roopnauth Sharma called it “a proactive step toward safeguarding all communities.” Reverend Ron Matheson said “the city of º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøI moved to in 1995 was a safe place where this would not have been necessary — but it is necessary now.”  

Some councillors say the proposed bylaw would be ineffective and that they are drafting amendments to widen its scope.

“The bylaw that we have, proposed by staff, is an insult to the Jewish community,” said Coun. Diane Saxe. “It will not provide any protection.”

Pasternak and Coun. Brad Bradford said they will advance motions Thursday to make Toronto’s legislation as close to Vaughan’s as possible.Ìý

“We need a system that can respond quickly to institutions that feel threatened,” said Pasternak in an interview with the Star Friday. “They shouldn’t have to go through layers of bureaucracy and paperwork and showing evidence.”