Freedom for me but not for thee?
Protesters march in support of regime change in Iran during a demonstration in Toronto, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan
We all want to move around the city in peace and safety, not having to engage with other people if we don’t want to. But then we run into a protest. maybe the protesters are calling for something we deeply disagree with. Should they be allowed to continue?
The right to protest exists because historically in Canada protest has been a path to positive social change. Think of the Winnipeg general strike which ultimately lead to better working conditions. Think of Pride.
Toronto hosts many protests, mostly about policies Toronto does not control. The biggest being protests against Canada’s support for Israel. The City of Toronto is definitely not responsible for foreign policy, and we should not even think of wading into that pond, but we have a role to play in policing the protests and investigating property damage.
Countries, however, don’t have rights. They exist through some combination of citizen consent, treaties, recognition, propaganda, brutal violence, and war. For the past 100 years, through brutal genocides and wars, many prominent people have been working to move countries away from war through addressing issues peacefully. Toronto plays a part building consent in Canada.
Protesters may say things you don’t like, or your fellow citizens may be supporting groups you don’t like, but that is not justification for shutting down protests or damaging homes and businesses.
We need to find a balance between protecting free speech and “quiet enjoyment”. I support the ban on protests outside religious institutions, only to the extent that it still allows for robust peaceful protest. And to the extent that they are practicing religion, not holding a real estate sale.
Its a tough job, but we can do it.