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Constitutional law group vows to contest Calgary law banning protests against drag queen story time

by Anthony Murdoch

The Canadian Constitution Foundation said Calgary’s new ‘Safe and Inclusive Access Bylaw’ is flawed and breaches charter rights.

(LifeSiteNews) – A top Canadian civil liberties group says it is “deeply troubled” by what it says is a new “unconstitutional” bylaw passed by Calgary City Council banning protesting against drag queen story times or other LGBTQ events at public facilities and is now reading a court challenge to fight it.

In a press release Wednesday, the Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) said that Calgary’s new “Safe and Inclusive Access Bylaw,” which would disallow “specified protests” both inside and outside all city-owned and affiliated public buildings, is flawed and breaches charter rights.

The CCF said the bylaw was put in place for the explicit purpose to ban protesting against drag queen story times.

“This bylaw is not content neutral. It only prohibits specific types of protests that the government disapproves of. The courts have been very clear that the right to freedom of expression is content neutral,” CCF litigation director Christine Van Geyn said.

“The content of a protest’s expression, no matter how offensive, unpopular or disturbing cannot deprive a protester of their section 2(b) Charter protection.”

According to Van Geyn, it is not up to the government to “tell Canadians what they may or may not protest.”

“This proposed bylaw and the $10,000 fine associated with it is unconstitutional and should never have been passed. We are preparing to bring a Charter challenge,” she added.

In a 10-5 vote on Tuesday, Calgary City councillors approved its new “Safe and Inclusive Access Bylaw” that would disallow “specified protests” inside and outside all city-owned and affiliated public buildings.

The bylaw means protests by pastors or concerned parents against radical LGBTQ events at public buildings will be barred within a 100-meter buffer zone around city recreation centres and libraries.

Those who are found guilty of breaking the new rules could face fines of up to $10,000 one year in jail.

 

full story at https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/constitutional-law-group-vows-to-contest-calgary-law-banning-protests-against-drag-queen-story-time/

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