New Safe and Inclusive Access Bylaw
In response to ongoing and escalating threats, intimidation, and violence aimed at the safety and freedom of our 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Calgary City Council has approved the Safe and Inclusive Access Bylaw (C2023-0279).
This bylaw aims to strike a balance between providing safe and inclusive access to public services and respecting the right to protest. A 100-metre ‘access zone’ has been implemented around entrances to public libraries, city-owned recreation facilities, and city-affiliated recreation centres, and prohibits specified protests within this area. The Bylaw also prohibits anyone from impeding or attempting to impede the passage of another person to or from an entrance of a recreation facility or library, as well as introduces a clarifying amendment to the current Public Behavior Bylaw, adding the word ‘intimidation’ to the definition of harassment.
Members of our 2SLGBTQIA+ community deserve better. They deserve to live freely, move freely, and express themselves freely without fear of harassment, violence, or intensifying threats for simply existing. This bylaw is a small step in showing our allyship and commitment to creating safe and affirming spaces for all equity-deserving Calgarians. We cannot continue to let the hate-filled voices of a few drown out the considerable majority of us who stand together in unconditional love and support for all members of our community.
It is also important to note the distinction between free speech and hate speech. Freedom of speech, or freedom of expression as it’s known in Canada, is a Charter right protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is defined as ‘freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression.’ But there are reasonable limitations, and freedom of expression is not absolute.
Where free speech becomes hate speech is very clear. Under Canada’s Human Rights Act and Criminal Code, it is unlawful to publicly incite hatred, violence, or discrimination toward a group or class of people – this includes, but is not limited to, actions or statements based on someone’s sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression. Language that serves to discriminate or encourages others to discriminate, as well as actions that prevent the free exercise of another person’s rights to freedom of expression, is a criminal offence in Canada.
Hate Speech is more than just offensive words; It’s intentionally dehumanizing, deeply traumatizing, and erodes public safety for all of us.
The City of Calgary is committed to ensuring that all Calgarians who wish to access public services and facilities are not being exposed to messaging or behaviour that is hateful, intimidates, harasses, or discriminates. To learn more about the current bylaws, strategies, and policies in place, see the links below.
Throughout my years of service, protecting and working to advance the wellbeing of equity-deserving groups has been a foundational part of Ward 9’s strategic objectives. I am proud of Council for walking the talk and voting to keep members of our 2SLGBTQIA+ community safe. Thank you to Councillors Mian, Dhaliwal, Pootmans, Penner, Wong, Spencer, Walcott, and Mayor Gondek for showing up in solidarity. Through our shared commitment to creating an inclusive, resilient, and thriving city for all, Calgary can continue to Rise Together.