Совет Оаквилля призвал правительство Онтарио ужесточить законодательство против беспорядков и ношения масок

The Town of Oakville is calling on the province to provide clearer tools municipalities can use when large gatherings threaten public safety. At their Aug. 10 meeting, council unanimously voted in favour of a motion that calls on Ontario’s solicitor general to work with municipalities to review and amend provincial legislation to provide clear, Charter-compliant authority for police and municipalities to direct the dispersal of groups when an imminent public safety risk has been determined. The province was also asked to look at the use of face-covering masks being worn for the purpose of concealing identity during unlawful or disorderly public gatherings and to consider whether additional Charter-compliant enforcement tools are needed. The motion called for any new authority to have clear limits, including defined locations, limited time periods, objective safety criteria and accountability measures. Rowdy crowds Oakville has had regular issues with large unsanctioned gatherings of youths converging on the Bronte area on Victoria Day and Canada Day. The last few years have seen rowdy crowds, particularly in the Lakeshore Road and East Street area, illegally discharge fireworks. Halton police have reported instances when these fireworks were discharged at property, into crowds and even at officers. Coun. Sean O’Meara (Ward 1), who brought the motion forward, said finding ways to deal with large gatherings that threaten safety is not just an Oakville issue. He pointed to Sunfest in London, Ont., where members of a crowd allegedly assaulted police officers with rocks, bottles and fireworks. He also pointed to recent incidents involving large crowds in Brampton, Waterloo and Woodbine Park in Toronto. O’Meara noted police need to be able to take greater action when they see a gathering is becoming unsafe. “The police really don’t have any rights to enforce large crowds when these crowds are doing things they shouldn’t be doing,” said O’Meara after the meeting. “They can try and kettle them or funnel them, but they can’t disband them. This isn’t just a problem in Oakville — this is the case across the province.” O’Meara argued that when police see the conduct of a large crowd is becoming unsafe, they should have the authority to disperse it and to hand out penalties if individuals in that crowd refuse to listen. Halton police were asked if they currently have the authority to disperse a crowd. Const. Jeff Dillon, Halton police’s media officer, noted any authority for controlling large gatherings of people typically falls within the parts of the Criminal Code of Canada governing unlawful assemblies and riots. This section of the Criminal Code states that those involved in an unlawful assembly or riot can be punished; however, it says nothing about whether police have the authority to disperse a crowd in the interest of public safety. The Criminal Code does point out someone who commits a crime while wearing a mask to conceal their identity is guilty of an indictable offence. O’Meara said the province looking at masks being worn at unlawful or disorderly gatherings is also important. “When I’ve worked with the police, that’s something they have said — ‘We can’t identify these kids.’ They are showing up and they are using masks as a way of concealing themselves,” said O’Meara. “So, it’s not about health and safety, it’s not for religious reasons — they are doing it so they cannot be identified, so they can do things and it’s making it very difficult for police to see who is setting off fireworks, who is causing damage, who is assaulting people … There has got to be something we can do.” Coun. Jonathan McNeice (Ward 1) said during the meeting that while an increased police presence, as well as bylaw changes and environmental changes, made progress in taming rowdy crowds during this year’s Canada Day celebrations, it’s a growing issue that extends beyond Oakville’s borders. “It’s a tricky issue. We still want people to feel safe going out and celebrating in large crowds and we’re looking for ways to take away some of their concerns,” said McNeice. The Oakville motion has caused some to worry. Legislation, if enacted, could disproportionately impact Black, racialized youth: Halton Black Voices Halton Black Voices, a non-profit organization dedicated to dismantling systemic racism and advocating for Black residents, said that while it supports safe, family-friendly cultural celebrations in Oakville and agree with the motion’s goal, it has issues with its method. “Dispersal powers, once written into the legislation, tend to be applied unevenly, and Black and racialized youth are usually the first to feel that unevenness in practice, regardless of the intent behind the policy,” said Halton Black Voices in a social media statement. “The motion states that any new authority would include limits such as defined locations, time periods and accountability measures. Those limits matter, but they are only meaningful if the communities most likely to be affected help shape them before the legislation is drafted, not after it takes effect.” Halton Black Voices said it wants to see Black community organizations and civil liberties advocates involved in the creation of any new legislation of this kind from the start. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.