At Hindu Forum Canada (HFC), we are committed to safeguarding the well-being of all Canadians by addressing critical public safety concerns. In light of the rising number of disruptive protests across the country, many of which are tied to foreign political agendas, HFC recently submitted a detailed report and policy proposal to the Toronto Police Service, aimed at minimizing the impact of these protests on public order and safety.
Identifying the Problem: Disruption and Public Safety Risks
Canada has recently seen an increase in protests that disrupt public life, hinder emergency services, and create traffic gridlock. These protests, often tied to foreign political movements—such as those involving Khalistan or Palestine—have far-reaching effects on local communities and critical infrastructure. While freedom of speech is a democratic right, the disruption of daily life and public services, particularly when it concerns issues unrelated to Canada’s domestic interests, is a growing concern.
Hindu Forum Canada recognized this problem and took decisive steps to propose a balanced solution. Our submission to Toronto Police highlights the adverse effects of protests, particularly those causing public safety risks, such as blocked roads delaying emergency vehicles, transportation chaos, and even threats of violence when tensions escalate.
Types of Protest Disruptions Impacting Canadian Communities
Hindu Forum Canada’s submission to the Toronto Police identified several specific categories of protest disruptions that pose serious risks to public safety and the fabric of Canadian society. These disruptions divert attention from pressing domestic issues and impose economic and social burdens on local communities. Key concerns raised in the submission include:
Maintaining Law & Order
Foreign affairs issues brought into Canadian protests detract from domestic matters and the well-being of local citizens. This becomes especially problematic when law enforcement must allocate resources to maintain peace at such protests, which often lack direct relevance to Canadian governance.
Political Appeasement
Local politicians, such as Harkirat Singh, the Deputy Mayor of Brampton, have publicly acknowledged the rise in car rallies being used as a form of protest. These protests often attempt to appease specific foreign interest groups, creating divisions in Canadian communities and fueling unnecessary tensions.
Health & Safety Concerns
The growing number of disruptive protests in densely populated areas creates health and safety hazards. Mass gatherings, especially when not well-organized or when tensions run high, can escalate into violence or stampedes, putting both participants and the general public at risk.
Traffic Disruption & Emergency Services
Protests blocking roads and intersections disrupt the flow of emergency services. Delays caused by road blockages can mean the difference between life and death when emergency vehicles are unable to reach their destinations in time. This is one of the most pressing concerns highlighted by the community and law enforcement alike.
Economic Impact
Protest disruptions in commercial districts can lead to significant economic losses for local businesses. Prolonged protests can drive customers away, cause store closures, and create long-lasting negative effects on local economies, particularly when protests turn violent or lead to property damage.
Campus Occupation and Schools
Recent protests on university campuses have turned into occupations of school grounds, which not only disrupts academic life but also leads to increased polarization among students. Schools and universities should be places of learning and discourse, not battlegrounds for foreign political ideologies.
Misuse of Free Speech
While free speech is a fundamental right, the line is crossed when protests tied to foreign political movements incite hatred, violence, or promote false narratives. The misuse of free speech allows these protests to spiral out of control, making it difficult for law enforcement to intervene without being accused of curbing democratic freedoms.
Proposed Solution: Traffic-Light Zoning System
Hindu Forum Canada’s policy submission included a unique, research-backed “traffic-light zoning system,” developed in consultation with findings from Macdonald-Laurier University’s research into public order management. This system seeks to manage protest locations in a way that balances democratic freedoms with public safety and order.
The proposal suggests a tiered zoning system for protest activities, defined by three levels of restrictions:
Red Zone
Areas around sensitive locations like hospitals, schools, and emergency service routes, where protests would be strictly regulated or prohibited to ensure uninterrupted access and operation of critical services. Blocking emergency services poses severe risks, and this zone is designed to protect essential public functions.
Yellow Zone
Areas in busy commercial or residential districts where protests could be allowed but with strict conditions, such as limiting the size or duration of gatherings to prevent major disruptions to daily life and business operations. Usually requiring permit.
Green Zone
Permissive protest zones located around government buildings or other designated public spaces where protests can take place more freely. These zones would offer ample space for peaceful assembly without interfering with essential services or high-traffic areas.
This zoning system is designed to maintain the right to protest while ensuring that the safety and needs of all citizens are respected. It provides a framework that cities like Toronto could adopt to regulate protests tied to foreign agendas that often escalate into confrontations or cause widespread disruptions.
Additional Recommendations: Monitoring and Enforcement
Beyond the traffic-light zoning system, HFC’s submission also included recommendations for enhanced monitoring and enforcement. This includes the use of modern surveillance tools and real-time traffic monitoring to ensure that protest activities do not spiral out of control. HFC also emphasized the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and community organizations to maintain peace and prevent violent escalations.
Moreover, we recommended that law enforcement be given the tools and resources to quickly intervene when protests go beyond peaceful demonstrations and begin threatening public safety. This could include stronger penalties for groups that willfully block emergency routes or deliberately provoke violent clashes.
Acknowledgement and Impact: A Positive Reception
The Toronto Police reviewed HFC’s comprehensive submission and expressed their gratitude for the organization’s thorough research and policy suggestions. The police acknowledged that disruptive protests have become a pressing issue, particularly in cases where foreign political interests are involved, and thanked HFC for offering a thoughtful, solution-oriented approach.
This engagement highlights HFC’s proactive role in shaping policies that protect all Canadians. By bringing forward well-researched, innovative solutions, HFC is playing a critical role in fostering collaboration between advocacy groups, law enforcement, and policymakers.
Moving Forward: A Call for Stronger Government Action
While law enforcement is key to managing protests, Hindu Forum Canada also calls on political leaders to take legislative action that limits the ability of foreign political interests to disrupt Canadian public life. Our streets should not be hijacked for international political battles at the cost of local peace and order.
HFC will continue to work with government bodies and law enforcement to push for legislation that protects public safety while upholding Canadian values of free expression. With a focus on balanced, real-world solutions, we can ensure that Canada remains a safe, peaceful place for all citizens.
