An expert specializing in freedom of expression has raised concerns about the solicitor general of Ontario allegedly pressuring the Toronto police to alter their approach to handling protests for political purposes. The issue arose following a letter from Solicitor General Michael Kerzner to the Toronto Police Service (TPS) on December 30, criticizing what he perceived as a lack of enforcement regarding hate, intimidation, and harassment-related offenses at protests in the city.
James Turk, the director of the Center for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University, expressed apprehension regarding Kerzner’s intentions. Turk suggested that the solicitor general may be interfering in police operations for political motives.
According to TPS spokesperson Stephanie Sayer, since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israeli invasion of Gaza, Toronto police have participated in over 800 demonstrations linked to the conflict. Sayer mentioned that officers have conducted nearly 500 arrests and filed over 1,000 criminal charges related to protests and hate crimes during this period.
The push for stricter regulations on protests has gained traction, leading the city council to introduce a “bubble zone” bylaw last year, limiting protests within 50 meters of schools and places of worship under specific circumstances. Kerzner’s letter echoed these sentiments, citing incidents such as a pro-Palestinian protest at the Toronto Eaton Centre on Boxing Day and ongoing marches in predominantly Jewish neighborhoods near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue W.
Residents have reported feeling fearful and anxious due to these events, prompting Kerzner to address the need for visible enforcement. However, Turk emphasized that the solution is not solely increased arrests and charges. He highlighted the importance of ongoing public discourse in a democratic society to determine the boundaries of legitimate expression.
Palestinian human rights activist Bashar Al-Shawwa, who relocated to Canada in 2024, echoed Turk’s sentiments, emphasizing the need to uphold public safety without stifling freedom of expression. Al-Shawwa criticized the political implications of Kerzner’s letter, cautioning against framing expressions of opinion as security threats.
Amidst these discussions, Josh Landau, the director of government relations for Ontario at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), expressed support for Kerzner’s message, advocating for firm enforcement against hate, intimidation, and harassment.
Although some in the Jewish community feel that certain protests have crossed a line, Turk reiterated that peaceful assembly is a fundamental right protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He clarified that while phrases like “globalize the intifada” and “from the river to the sea” may spark controversy, they are not inherently illegal unless they explicitly incite violence or promote hatred against a specific group.
Turk emphasized the importance of allowing peaceful but disruptive protests in a democratic society, cautioning against restricting legitimate expressions of dissent. He underscored that curtailing such objections could potentially lead to a more authoritarian societal structure.