Proposed bylaw would keep protests away from places of worship in Mississauga [Video]

Protesters gather at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton in early November.(Photo: @Onkar_1983 on X)

Mississauga is moving forward with a proposed bylaw that would keep demonstrations at least 100 metres away from places of worship following recent outbreaks of violence during protests in both Brampton and Canada’s seventh-largest city.

Mississauga city council unanimously adopted a motion on Wednesday that directs staff to “consider the feasibility of implementing a bylaw that prohibits demonstrations within 100 metres, or within reasonable distance, of places of worship at the earliest possible time.”

Ward 7 Coun. Dipika Damerla, who tabled the motion, said she did so with an eye toward keeping people safe and free from intimidation as they attend places of worship in Mississauga. Protests, even relatively peaceful events, are on the rise across the region, she added.