City’s New Protest Bylaw Draws Concern at Anti-Black Racism Committee Meeting

Toronto’s new protest exclusion zone bylaw, set to take effect July 2, was the focus of a recent meeting of the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee—a civic body tasked with examining how City decisions affect Black communities. Passed by City Council in a 16–9 vote, the bylaw prohibits demonstrations within 50 metres of schools, hospitals, and places of worship. City staff say the aim is to protect vulnerable groups, but many civil liberties advocates and committee members warn the policy could restrict Charter-protected rights and disproportionately impact racialized communities. At the meeting, Deputy Chief of Staff James Lapierre presented the City’s implementation plan, including a forthcoming community communication strategy. He emphasized that the Advisory Committee would play a role in shaping how information is shared with impacted residents. The discussion quickly turned to broader civic concerns: how decisions like this are made, who is consulted, and what it means for communities like Regent Park and the Downtown East—where protest has been essential in the push for equity and housing justice. Several Regent Park residents in attendance raised questions about enforcement and the lack of meaningful consultation with equity-deserving groups. The debate over Toronto’s new protest bylaw cuts to the heart of civic life—how people can raise their voices, challenge injustice, and hold power to account. For communities like Regent Park, where public protest has been a vital force in securing housing, services, and recognition, limiting access to public space risks silencing the very residents most affected by systemic inequality.