British Columbia is set to implement a significant legislative measure aimed at curbing protests near schools and places of worship. The province’s attorney general recently introduced two bills designed to ensure public safety and uninterrupted access to these areas. This legislative response comes amid rising concerns over events targeting Jewish and other religious communities in the area, as highlighted by BC Premier David Eby during a recent press conference. For full details, see the detailed report.
The current Safe Access to Schools Act already restricts protests within 20 meters of school premises between 7 AM and 6 PM on school days. The proposed legislation seeks to extend this safeguard, pushing the sunset clause from June 2026 to June 2028. Similarly, the new Safe Access to Places of Public Worship Act would establish comparable restrictions around religious institutions. Under this new law, owners would be required to put up clear signage at facility entrances, marking the protected zones.
Police officers would be empowered to arrest individuals believed to be violating these access zone restrictions, even without a warrant. While these measures aim to enhance community safety, they have sparked debate over potential infringements on constitutional rights to free speech and protest. Notably, the BC Civil Liberties Association raised concerns when a similar bylaw was enacted in Toronto in 2025, cautioning about possible suppression of Palestine solidarity. Christine Van Geyn from the Canadian Constitution Foundation contends that existing legal provisions, such as those in the Criminal Code, already sufficiently protect these sites.
These legislative moves are spurred by a marked increase in protests and hate crimes. The BC Office of the Premier reported over 40 protests near K-12 schools since 2023, mainly opposing sexual orientation and gender identity programs. Concurrently, hate crimes related to religion surged by more than 50 percent between 2022 and 2023, with those linked to sexual orientation rising 43 percent. This prompted the province to expand its hate crimes unit in 2025.
Religious communities have expressed support for the proposed bills. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs emphasized that while freedom of expression is a core right, it shouldn’t permit harassment or intimidation in religious practices or community services.
The legislation reflects a broader trend where similar laws have been upheld to protect access to sensitive sites. British Columbia has enacted and defended safe access zones for abortion services, with the BC Court of Appeal affirming these measures as justified restrictions on free speech to safeguard healthcare access. A parallel ruling from the UK Supreme Court in 2018 upheld similar zones around abortion clinics, aligning with rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.