Item - 2024.IA24.1

Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6, York Centre, has submitted the following Administrative Inquiry:

I am submitting this Administrative Inquiry under Municipal Code S27-7.11 to obtain information, updates and details of actions taken since May 2024 when Council asked the City Manager to develop an “action plan” to protect places of worship, faith based schools and day cares and faith based institutions and other vulnerable institutions.

On May 23, 2024, Toronto City Council in a 13-11 vote adopted the following motion (2024.MM18.16):

1. City Council request the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to develop an action plan to recognize that Torontonians are able to practice their faith and access their place of worship free of intimidation and harassment; and are able to freely exercise their protected Charter rights to freedom of assembly, religion and expression and convey the action plan directly to relevant participating bodies including Municipal Licensing and Standards and the Toronto Police Service Board.

This debate and motion was in response to the growing inciteful incidents and protests that have threatened religious communities and vulnerable institutions. The motion above was adopted instead of a more prescriptive motion asking for city staff to bring draft by laws to protect vulnerable religious institutions, commonly known as “bubble zones.” Whether statute or by law, “bubble zones” keep protests a safe distance from vulnerable institutions, such as places of worship. Since October 7, 2023, the cost of policing anti-Israel protests is around $20 million. The anarchy has resulted in the doubling of 911 response times and have hurt businesses due to illegal street blocking and calls for discriminatory boycotts. These protests have damaged Toronto’s international reputation as a safe place to live and invest. For example, these groups sabotaged a state dinner in Toronto for the visiting Prime Minister of Italy and the Prime Minister of Canada.  

It has now been 6 months since MM18.16 was passed and 13 months since the original motion (MM11.37) asking staff for a road map for “community safety zones” (aka Bubble zones) was adopted by Council. The threats to vulnerable institutions continues. On July 31, 2024, an angry mob reached the doors of Pride of Israel while a community commemoration event was taking place. On August 18, 2024, the Friends of Jesus Christ Church needed a massive police presence to keep protestors away from a peaceful event. On October 10, 2024 a mosque at Kennedy Road and Lawrence Avenue east was threatened when an individual entered chanting racist threats during prayers. On October 12, 2024, Bais Chaya Mushka, a Jewish girl’s school had shots fired through its front window for the second time. On November 3, 2024, worshippers at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton were attacked by protestors. Earlier this year a violent protest took place at the Beth Avraham Yoseph synagogue in Vaughan, where protesters told supporters of the synagogue to “Go Back to Europe” These incidents are alarming for the whole region and have damaged Toronto as a safe place for all faiths.

In an apparent response to the Council direction of May 23, 2024, what looks like a “draft” “action plan” was sent to the Toronto Police Services Board for discussion. The Board debated the item and then moved receipt, which means it might go no further.  There is growing urgency for Council to review and debate the “Action Plan.” Please respond to the following.

1. When will Toronto City Council be presented with a final “action plan” to assist in protecting places of worship and vulnerable faith based institutions in Toronto?

2. Has the Office of Emergency Management been convened or consulted to help build the action plan and provide guidance on how best to ensure safety and civility in Toronto since October 7, 2023.

3. The “action plan” motion asks that Municipal Licensing and Standards be involved. Does Municipal Licensing and Standards have a plan developed with Toronto Police Service that will enforce Toronto’s by laws and at the same time keep by law officers safe?

4. Toronto Police Service have been taking on the responsibility for ensuring the protection of both federal and provincial sites and infrastructure. Has the City Manager and/or Police Services approached the other levels of government to assist with protection of critical infrastructure that is not municipal in nature?

5. Has the City of Toronto received comments and suggestions from the Toronto Police Service board or other members of the force about how best to address the growing unrest on the streets of Toronto?