150-Metre Safe Zones Around Religious Sites

Summary#

This bill creates “access zones” around religious places like churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and cemeteries. Its goal is to protect people going to these places from harassment, threats, or pressure not to enter. It would take effect once it receives Royal Assent (formal approval).

• Sets a 150‑metre access zone around every religious property, including sidewalks and nearby public areas.
• Bans trying to persuade someone, in the zone, not to enter a religious place, and bans repeated requests to stay away.
• Prohibits intimidation, threats, blocking, following, or targeted watching meant to stop people from going in.
• Bars repeated calls, texts, or emails that try to stop someone from attending after they ask you to stop.
• Creates fines and possible jail time; allows people to sue for losses and ask a court for an injunction (a court order to stop someone).

What it means for you#

• Worshippers, visitors, and funeral attendees

  • You should face less harassment near religious sites.
  • If someone threatens, blocks, follows, or pressures you not to go in, you can call police. You may also sue for losses and ask a court to order the behaviour to stop.
  • The zone covers the property and up to 150 metres (about 500 feet) beyond it.

• Clergy, staff, and volunteers

  • You can ask police to enforce the access zone if people are trying to keep others from entering.
  • You (or the Attorney General) can ask a court for an injunction if problems continue.
  • You can seek damages if the prohibited actions cause losses.

• Protesters and activists

  • Inside the 150‑metre zone, you cannot advise, persuade, or repeatedly ask people not to enter.
  • You also cannot intimidate, threaten, block, follow, or closely watch people for the purpose of stopping them from entering.
  • If someone asks you to stop calling, texting, or emailing them to discourage attendance, you must stop.
  • You cannot be convicted unless you knew, or were told, where the access zone is.

• Nearby residents and businesses

  • Regular activity is allowed, but telling someone not to go into a religious place while you are within the zone could break the law.
  • Gatherings aimed at dissuading people from attending must happen outside the zone.

• Police

  • Officers may arrest without a warrant if they reasonably believe someone is breaking these rules.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• People should be able to attend worship and funerals without being harassed or threatened.
• Clear rules and set distances make it easier for police to act before situations escalate.
• The law targets harmful conduct (intimidation, blocking, threats), not general speech far from the site.
• Civil tools (lawsuits and court orders) give victims quick ways to stop repeat behaviour.
• The knowledge/notice rule helps protect people from accidental violations.

Opponents' View#

• The 150‑metre zone is large and includes sidewalks and other public spaces, which could limit free expression near many sites.
• Banning “advising” someone not to enter may be too broad and could capture peaceful conversations.
• Police powers to arrest without a warrant and the threat of fines or jail could chill lawful protests.
• People may be unsure what counts as “observing,” “intimidation,” or acting “for the purpose of dissuading,” leading to uneven enforcement.
• Allowing lawsuits and injunctions could invite legal fights and costs for activists and community groups.