Alberta Justice Minister and Attorney General Tyler Shandro said he does not want to speak on the City of Calgary’s bylaw restricting protests around libraries and community centres. .“I haven’t read their bylaw itself,” said Shandro at a Friday press conference. .“I have no comment on their proposed bylaw.” .Shandro said he did not know it passed. He deferred comments to Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Rebecca Schulz. .Calgary city council voted 10-5 Tuesday to pass a bylaw which seeks to put distance between protestors and public facilities. .READ MORE: Calgary city council votes to restrict protests outside community centres, libraries.“If these recommendations are approved, the proposed bylaws will protect all Calgarians, including members of communities that have historically and are currently experiencing exclusion and discrimination in our city,” said City of Calgary General Manager, Community Services Katie Black. .The safe and inclusive access bylaw bans people from engaging in protests about human rights grounds within 100 metres of an entrance to a community centre or library. The public behaviour bylaw’s maximum penalty was increased to a $10,000 fine or one year in prison. .The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) said Wednesday it was troubled by the bylaw passed by Calgary city council which restricts protests around libraries and community centres. .READ MORE: Civil liberties group expresses opposition to Calgary anti-protest bylaw.“This bylaw is not content neutral,” said CCF Litigation Director Christine Van Geyn. .Van Geyn said the new bylaw and $10,000 fine is “unconstitutional and should never have been passed.” She said the CCF is preparing to bring a constitutional challenge.
Alberta Justice Minister and Attorney General Tyler Shandro said he does not want to speak on the City of Calgary’s bylaw restricting protests around libraries and community centres. .“I haven’t read their bylaw itself,” said Shandro at a Friday press conference. .“I have no comment on their proposed bylaw.” .Shandro said he did not know it passed. He deferred comments to Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Rebecca Schulz. .Calgary city council voted 10-5 Tuesday to pass a bylaw which seeks to put distance between protestors and public facilities. .READ MORE: Calgary city council votes to restrict protests outside community centres, libraries.“If these recommendations are approved, the proposed bylaws will protect all Calgarians, including members of communities that have historically and are currently experiencing exclusion and discrimination in our city,” said City of Calgary General Manager, Community Services Katie Black. .The safe and inclusive access bylaw bans people from engaging in protests about human rights grounds within 100 metres of an entrance to a community centre or library. The public behaviour bylaw’s maximum penalty was increased to a $10,000 fine or one year in prison. .The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) said Wednesday it was troubled by the bylaw passed by Calgary city council which restricts protests around libraries and community centres. .READ MORE: Civil liberties group expresses opposition to Calgary anti-protest bylaw.“This bylaw is not content neutral,” said CCF Litigation Director Christine Van Geyn. .Van Geyn said the new bylaw and $10,000 fine is “unconstitutional and should never have been passed.” She said the CCF is preparing to bring a constitutional challenge.
