Two cities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) adopted measures on Wednesday, November 13, to restrict protests near places of worship.

Mississauga was the first to pass the motion, with city council approving a motion presented by Councilor Dipika Damerla. The motion passed unanimously, with all ten council members voting in favor.

After the vote, Damerla wrote on .”

According to the motion, city staff would work to “consider the feasibility of implementing a bylaw prohibiting demonstrations within 100 meters, or a reasonable distance, of a place of worship as soon as possible.” Brampton City Council also passed a similar motion later the same day.

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This follows an incident on November 3, when pro-Khalistan activists attacked the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton while protesting the detention of an Indian consular camp.

In response to this incident, counter-protests took place the same night outside the Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sabha gurdwara in Malton. The next day, a rally was held at the Hindu Sabha Mandir to condemn the violence.

The Mississauga motion said: “Such protests outside places of worship, even when peaceful, can create an intimidating barrier that must be crossed to gain access to the place of worship. »

Due to security concerns, two Greater Toronto Area temples, Brampton Triveni Mandir and Toronto Kali Bari in Mississauga, announced Monday they would cancel consular camps planned for next weekend. On Tuesday, Canadian authorities said there was no information of “direct threats” to places of worship in the Greater Toronto Area, although Indian consular camps have been postponed to help ease tensions.

In a statement released Wednesday, Peel Regional Police (PRP) said: “Peel Regional Police are aware of community concerns, particularly in places of worship, regarding protests and perceived threats. Peel Regional Police would like to clarify that we have not received any direct threats against any place of worship in Peel Region.

Peel Regional Police added that they are in regular contact “with the Consul General of India, as well as places of worship and community centers to work collaboratively to mitigate risk to the community” .

They added: “Given the current tension in the community and a common interest in maintaining public safety, the organizers have agreed that the consular camps be postponed to a later date to help ease tensions and limit any negative impact on the community. »

(With contribution from agencies)