What’s at Stake—Toronto’s Proposed Bylaw on Safe Access Zones
After 19 months of relentless, targeted harassment outside synagogues, Jewish schools, and community institutions, our collective voice is making a difference. The City of Toronto—Canada’s largest and most influential municipality—has now released a draft bylaw aimed at protecting vulnerable institutions from intimidation and hate-fueled protests.
This bylaw exists because of your advocacy. Because of the Jewish community’s persistence—and the strength of our allies who stand with us—we’ve put the issue of targeted hate on the City’s agenda. And now, we have an opportunity to shape public policy that will ripple far beyond our community.
This bylaw is expected to go to Council for consideration next week—and the stakes are high.
Thanks to our collective advocacy, the proposed language includes some meaningful steps forward. Here is what we’ve achieved so far that CIJA has been advocating for:
- The bylaw recognizes the need to protect all social infrastructure, including places of worship, daycares, and schools—not just for the Jewish community, but for all vulnerable groups.
- Prohibits protests within the access area against any person that is based on an express objection or disapproval towards any person based on race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion/creed; all of which are tied to the human rights code.
These are significant achievements– direct results of your letters, your advocacy, and CIJA’s relentless efforts at City Hall. But there is still more to do.
The proposed bylaw can be strengthened:
- It includes only a 20-metre buffer zone; a fraction of what has been adopted in other cities. We urged council to follow the City of Vaughan’s 100-metre standard, which offers a more realistic level of safety.
- Most concerning is the bureaucratic process requiring victims to request an “access zone”. It sets a high threshold of proof, and specific conditions that must all be met before a “safe access zone” can be established. This still leaves vulnerable communities to defend themselves while the city waits to respond.
Let’s be clear: safety should never depend on bureaucracy. Children, seniors, and families have an absolute right to feel safe – whether entering schools, daycares, and places of worship; without fear, and without needing to file a form to get that protection.
Make no mistake, the argument is not about silencing protest. This is about stopping organized campaigns of harassment and intimidation. And while these protests target Jews, their impact threatens the social fabric of our city—its civility, its diversity and the safety for all.
CIJA is working around the clock with City Councillors to close the gaps in the bylaw.
Governments at every level must recognize that protecting communities under threat—starting with clear measures to prevent targeted harassment—is not optional.
It is a basic obligation in any society that claims to value human rights, inclusion, and public safety.
We’re not fighting alone. We have allies. We have momentum. And together, we’re changing what’s possible in Canada’s largest city.
Thank you for standing with us.
Warmly,
Michelle Stock
Vice President, Ontario
