ALCCA Chair in CJN: Addressing Gaps in Law and Bubble Legislation
- ALCCA Staff
- Feb 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 1
In a newly published Canadian Jewish News Letter to the Editor, ALCCA Chair Mark Sandler underscores the importance of bubble legislation (legislation that limits proximity to vulnerable institutions) while emphasizing the need for better enforcement of existing laws to curb rising intimidation outside places of worship, community centres, institutions, and schools.
The letter was written in response to the following CJN article: Bubble legislation to curb protests outside Ontario synagogues has become a hot 2025 campaign issue.
Read the full letter below:
I reject absolutely the suggestion that such bubble legislation is unconstitutional if introduced either as municipal or as provincial legislation. Freedom of speech is not absolute. That is uncontroversial. But what it is also clear is that fundamental freedoms of speech and assembly can be fully reconciled with carefully crafted limits on the location and time of protests and demonstrations. These fundamental freedoms do not bring with them the right to intimidate or the right to interfere with the lawful use and enjoyment of property, private and public, by others. Carefully constructed bubble legislation potentially protects all faith communities, not just the Jewish community.
Vaughan was well-intentioned in introducing its bubble legislation, but the legislation was drafted in a way that has made its application unnecessarily difficult. More and more municipalities are considering or introducing bubble legislation in recognition of the need to ensure that all vulnerable Canadians are valued. The provincial government in Ontario should be reinforcing the need for such legislation, as just one measure to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate.
We have seen a number of protests and demonstrations that violate criminal hate speech provisions, or that involve other Criminal Code offences, including criminal intimidation (including the blocking of roads), mischiefs, unlawful assembly, and wearing disguises during an unlawful assembly or with the intent to commit a criminal offence. We have also seen violations of municipal bylaws without consequences. The underuse of available criminal law and municipal tools needs to be addressed, together with bubble legislation, as part of the answer to the disruption and intimidation and harassment that have been normalized in a number of Canadian cities.
Mark Sandler
Chair, Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism