Safe Access to Places of Worship By-law

On May 12, 2025, Town Council unanimously approved the Safe Access to Places of Worship By-law 2025-088, restricting certain forms of protest activities near places of worship as well as areas used on a temporary basis to host religious ceremonies or services.

The by-law is now in effect.

Key points of the by-law include:

• The by-law specifies what actions are not allowed within 50 metres of any place of worship to maintain safe public access. 
• The by-law is in effect only during the times when a ceremony or service is taking place. The rules in the by-law apply for one hour before and one hour after the event to help ensure these sites remain accessible during those times. 
• Oakville prides itself on being a safe, respectful, and welcoming community. The by-law does not restrict peaceful gatherings, protests, or demonstrations, including but not limited to lawful labour actions. 
• The following protest behaviours are affected by this by-law:
  • Advising or persuading individuals to refrain from accessing a place of worship.
  • Persistently asking individuals to refrain from entering the worship space.
  • Repeatedly approaching or following individuals accessing a place of worship.
  • Physically interfering with a person accessing a place of worship space.
  • Intimidating individuals or otherwise saying or doing anything that could reasonably cause concern for their physical or mental safety.

For more details, read the May 13, 2025 news release.

Background

• On December 16, 2024, following receipt of the Roles and Responsibilities in Managing Protests staff report at the December 16, 2024 Council Meeting, Oakville Town Council directed staff to engage in virtual public consultation and to research and investigate a draft by-law for Oakville to address certain forms of protests within a reasonable distance of vulnerable community infrastructure. The by-law is intended to be focused on activities impeding public access to essential community facilities, such as places of worship, schools, hospitals, libraries and daycares.
• In recognizing the diverse opinions within Oakville, town staff are looking to gain insight on the community’s sentiments around regulating activities impeding access to such facilities while balancing the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
• At May 1, 2025, Council meeting regarding the Potential Protest By-law near Vulnerable Social Infrastructure staff report and appendices, Town Council introduced a motion directing staff to revise the draft by-law to apply only to places of worship. 
• At the May 12, 2025, Council meeting the Safe Access to Places of Worship By-law 2025-088 was presented and approved by Council. 
• Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, individuals have a fundamental right of freedom of expression and freedom to protest and demonstrate peacefully as well as freedom of religion. These fundamental rights can have limits and, as such, there is a need to reasonably and responsibly balance these rights in a justifiable manner.

Public consultation

From February 12 to March 5, 2025, the town partnered with Forum Research Inc. to conduct a telephone and online questionnaire. The telephone and online questionnaire results were analyzed, together with submissions from individuals/organizations that shared their expertise and experience, and helped guide staff in preparing a draft by-law.

From March 25 to April 13, 2025, members of the public were invited to review the town’s draft "Safe Access to Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law" (pdf) and submit their comments using an online form.

Council meetings and staff reports

For more details and background, review staff reports:

• Potential Protest By-law near Vulnerable Social Infrastructure - Council - May 1, 2025, and
• Potential Protest By-law near Vulnerable Social Infrastructure – Council – May 12, 2025.