Brampton bans protests outside places of worship

Earlier, Patrick Brown had expressed concern over the recent rise in sectarian violence in the city.

“I will put forward a motion that will be voted on. I expect it to be unanimously passed, prohibiting protests at places of worship,” Brown had told Toronto Star.

Brown’s proposal is inspired by a similar bylaw in Vaughan, a neighbouring municipality, which responded to protests tied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Vaughan implemented its bylaw in June following several arrests near a Thornhill synagogue. This regulation bans “nuisance” protests within a 100-metre radius of places of worship, schools, child-care centres, and hospitals, with violators facing potential fines of up to $100,000.

Peel Region Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah also addressed the situation on Tuesday, urging calm in a video shared on social media. Duraiappah highlighted that recent protests “have escalated well beyond what is acceptable,” and noted that “a number of agitators intentionally provoked conflict.”

Mayor Patrick Brown had expressed concern over the recent rise in sectarian violence in the city. (Express Photo)

The Peel police have made four arrests after skirmishes between pro-India and pro-Khalistan groups. Local police say protesters on both sides have been wielding sticks, placards or “noxious substances” as weapons at protests with places of worship becoming the rallying points.

These clashes come amidst the chill in the Indo-Canadian relations that took place after Canada sought to “question” Indian diplomatic staff while accusing the country of engaging in covert campaign on Canadian soil. India has strongly refuted these allegations and accused Canada of harboring separatists and terrorists.

Mayor Brown told Toronto Star in an interview he has also been briefed by the federal Canadian Security Intelligence Service about the federal government’s foreign interference concerns. He said he was “well aware” of examples of foreign interference in Peel Region.