Subject: Support for Amendment to Achieve Effective Bubble Zone Legislation.

Dear Mayor and Members of Toronto City Council,
I’m writing to you today as a deeply concerned citizen and community member who believes in a Toronto where everyone can safely access schools, community centres, and places of worship—free from targeted harassment, intimidation or reasonable fears for their safety and security.
I appreciate the City's intention and efforts to draft a bylaw that protects vulnerable community spaces from activities that undermine the safety and security of those who are entitled to use and enjoy these spaces. However, I am very worried that the current version of the proposed “bubble zone” legislation contains sections that undermine the important rationale for such legislation.
I am now asking for your support and leadership in supporting a motion to amend the draft bylaw to more closely resemble an effective and enforceable protection for your citizens and that includes the following:
1. Proactive Protection, Not Punishment After Harm Is Done

The bylaw, as written, only allows a protection zone to be created after a location has already been targeted. This approach defeats the purpose of preventative safety and does little to protect the targeted or responsibly mitigate the enormous emotional, psychological and financial costs these protests are causing to the communities they target and the neighbouring citizens that have to foot the bill.

Vulnerable sites—like houses of worship, community centres, or schools—should not have to wait until they’ve already been harassed before receiving protection.
2. Don't Burden Victims with Proving the Threat

The bylaw requires those who’ve already been targeted to establish certain preconditions that are unworkable in practice and which are unlikely to serve the preventative function of the legislation. The owners of vulnerable social infrastructure should never have to assume the burden of establishing why they need to be protected, particularly when vulnerable communities are experiencing unprecedented levels of hatred and justifiably are concerned for their safety and security.

The process described in the bylaw is also unlikely to produce timely protection. The whole point of bubble legislation, as I understand it, is to simply prevent certain activities from taking place in close proximity to vulnerable spaces and thereby balance the rights of protesters or demonstrators and those entitled to use and enjoy such spaces without fear. 3. Take Guidance from What Works in Other Jurisdictions

The City of Vaughan has provided one helpful model for bubble legislation. Additionally, British Columbia has bubble zone legislation in relation to abortion services that was challenged based on alleged violations of freedom of speech, but upheld by that province’s highest court and unsuccessfully taken to the Supreme Court of Canada. Toronto might be well advised to adopt that tested model for bubble legislation.

More municipalities here in Ontario are already on board and taking the prudent, reasonable and responsible approach to protecting their citizens, including most recently, the Town of Oakville. Toronto should not be left behind and I ask you to move quickly in making the required amendments to make an effective bylaw a reality for us here, now.

4. Make the Rules Clear and Consistent

The current draft creates confusion by allowing “peaceful protests” while also listing non-violent but disruptive behaviours as prohibited. This mixed messaging opens the door to misinterpretation and undermines enforcement. Clear, simple rules are better for everyone—including law enforcement and the public.

5. Expand the Protective Perimeter

A 20-metre buffer around a vulnerable site is simply not enough to reduce fear and prevent confrontation. The average teen can toss a rock much further than 20m and aggressive, hateful and harmful language can certainly be heard at that distance.

Children, seniors, and families deserve a wider safety zone that truly creates a sense of comfort and separation from harmful activity and so a minimum of 50m, but preferably 100m, is urged for your adoption on this matter.

In short: I urge you to move to amend the bylaw on Wednesday, May 21, so that it can actually serve its purpose: To protect people and places before harm happens, without placing the burden on the very communities being targeted. We need a law that is clear, proactive, effective, and fair.

Toronto is a diverse, inclusive, and compassionate city. Let’s show that by passing a bubble zone bylaw that truly safeguards our shared values and vulnerable spaces.

With respect and urgency,

[Your Full Name]

[Your Address or Riding, if applicable]

[Your Contact Information]