Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General –

“Spaces where communities come together should always be safe, and our government is committed to ensuring no one lives in fear because of who they are. Through the Civil Forfeiture Grant program, we are providing funding to support the security infrastructure of community spaces at risk of hate-motivated incidents. The bills announced today expand on this commitment and further our work to make British Columbia safe and welcoming to all.”

Hardip Singh Sahota, treasurer, Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver and Victoria –

“In the past year, gurdwaras in B.C. have faced incidents that unsettled congregants and raised questions about safety when entering these sacred spaces. The introduction of legislation to ensure secure, unobstructed access is an encouraging sign that these concerns are being taken seriously. When people can walk through the doors without worry, it strengthens the sense of community, service and belonging in our province.”

Andrew Rosenblatt, rabbi, Congregation Schara Tzedeck –

“We thank the B.C. government for introducing this legislation. This is but one of many needed measures to give the Jewish community the confidence to gather safely in places of worship.”

Ebrahim Abdelmaqsoud, imam, Victoria Masjid –

“Our community has experienced situations when threatening behaviour around mosques has unsettled people arriving for prayer. Introducing clear access measures can ease those tensions by providing a steady, predictable environment for those who gather regularly. With these steps in place, worshippers can participate in prayer, reflection and community life with greater comfort and a renewed sense of personal security.”

Dr. Preeti Misra, secretary, Hindu Temple Burnaby –

“We appreciate the Province for bringing forward this bill to safeguard access to temples and other places of worship. In recent months, vandalism and agitation near certain temples have weighed on devotees and families who simply wish to pray and participate in cultural life. These new safeguards help create a calmer environment at the mandir, encouraging fuller participation in the festivals, teachings and community activities that keep our traditions vibrant.”

Rev. Dan Chambers, co-lead minister, St. Andrew’s-Wesley, Vancouver –

“People come to places of worship for guidance, solace in times of difficulty and connection to community. Disruption outside interferes with worship and communal gatherings inside. The measures proposed today provide clarity on safe access and help protect the integrity of services and community programs. With these measures, congregations can remain focused on the spiritual and communal practices that sustain them.”

Tracy Loffler, president, British Columbia School Trustees Association –

 “The British Columbia School Trustees Association has long urged the provincial government to protect students, staff and boards from disruptions near schools. We are relieved to see exclusion zones around school sites extended. This is an important step toward ensuring students feel safe and boards can govern without interruption. Safe, inclusive schools are essential to student success, and we appreciate the government for acting on the concerns of boards and school communities across the province.”

Kendra Mann, president of the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) –  

“The BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) welcomes the extension of the SASA program beyond July 1 and the stability it provides for students and families. Students across the province have spoken clearly about how important it is to protect their education, and their voices deserve to be heard. Ensuring continued support helps safeguard students’ ability to learn, succeed and focus on their future.” 

Carole Gordon, president, BC Teachers’ Federation –

“When students and staff walk through the doors of a school, they deserve to feel safe and supported to be themselves. Exclusion zones have provided a buffer from harmful bullying and targeted harassment. I’m pleased to see schools protected as spaces of belonging and inclusion for all students, and for the incredible teachers who help them thrive every day.”

Mark Pearmain, superintendent/CEO, Surrey Schools –

“The proposed extension of the Safe Access to Schools Act is welcome news. As a superintendent, I have seen firsthand how disruptive protests outside our schools can impact the learning environment and the emotional well-being of our students and staff. The extension to maintain the 20-metre zone will help protect both.”

The safe access to places of public worship act (SAPPWA) is a response to a rising trend of vandalism and other harmful behaviours targeting religious buildings and disrupting access. If the legislation is passed, it would allow for the creation of clearly defined access zones around places of public worship and would prohibit certain harmful behaviours in those zones.

If protestors engage in specified harmful behaviour within an access zone, officials at the place of worship would, under this proposed legislation, be able to call police to intervene. Police would then be empowered to make warrantless arrests and issue violation tickets. In addition, the legislation would allow the place of worship, the attorney general and others to apply for an injunction in Supreme Court to remove a protest.

Individuals would still be permitted to gather outside a place of worship to exercise their right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, as long as the activities do not amount to intimidation or interfere with access to the place of worship.

Places of worship that want these protections would be required to put up signage to notify that the access zone is in effect and that certain behaviours are prohibited. This will ensure the public has clear notice of where restrictions apply. In most cases, these access zones would include the building itself, the property on which it sits and a 20-metre buffer zone around the perimeter. Safe access zones would be limited in size and apply only if the place of worship chooses to erect the required sign.

What behaviour is prohibited

Under this proposed law, protections would be focused on targeting harmful and disruptive behaviours, such as:

• using objects to barricade or obstruct access
• using one’s body to physically impede access
• disrupting activities like prayers or meetings occurring at the place of worship
• intimidating or threatening people trying to access the place of worship
• attempting to persuade people not to visit the place of worship

What makes a place of worship eligible under Bill 13

The proposed legislation lays out which places are covered, based on property-tax exemptions that have been used in other existing statutes like the Community Charter, the Vancouver Charter and the Taxation (Rural Area) Act to define what qualifies as a “public place of worship.”