Crackdown on Pro-Palestine Solidarity; Indigenous land defender sentenced

Peaceful Assembly

Pro-Palestine protests led to multiple detentions

Between March and May 2024, Canada continues to see numerous pro-Palestinian protests, often drawing hundreds of protesters advocating for a ceasefire and expressing solidarity with Palestinians.

In Toronto, on 7th March, supporters of Palestine demonstrated for several hours, along with a counter-protest by pro-Israel protesters. Police detained and charged at least three people present at the two demonstrations due to allegations of violence or potential threats to public safety. On 30th March, protesters gathered at Yonge and Dundas Square, commemorating the 48th anniversary of Palestinian Land Day.

Tensions escalated during a later protest near Parliament and Gerrard Streets, where Toronto police reported at least five detentions. Law enforcement alleged instances of aggression, including a protester reportedly throwing horse manure at officers and another allegedly wielding a flagpole against an officer. Videos circulated online, showing tense interactions and, in some cases, chaotic scenes between protesters and officers. Some protest participants have since accused police of excessive force in handling the demonstration. There were no reports of people injured.

On 15th April, Montreal police detained 45 protesters during a sit-in at a bank in downtown Montreal, including journalists (see expression). Police spokesperson Caroline Chèvrefils reported that law enforcement officials instructed protesters to vacate Scotiabank, located on Sherbrooke. The detained protesters face criminal charges of mischief under CAD$ 5,000. Following the detention, all of them were released, according to the police statement.

On 16th April, over a hundred protesters obstructed the rail line at Pelham Avenue and Osler Street, Toronto, to call for an arms embargo on Israel. This action temporarily disrupted rail services. Toronto police responded to the scene, detaining four people who refused to clear the line. Authorities charged them with unlawful assembly, mischief and offences under the Railway Safety Act, with one person also charged with assaulting an officer. No injuries occurred during the incident.

On 27th April, members of the Palestinian diaspora, local activists and supporters marched under the banner “End Genocide Now” through Edmonton’s Whyte Avenue. A separate gathering occurred on the previous day in Toronto, where protestors rallied against Ontario's legislative ban on wearing the keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf, outside the office of Premier Doug Ford (see expression).

Events intensified in early May, including a rally on 11th May marking the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, with demonstrators marching to an encampment at the University of Toronto (U of T).

On 27th May, hundreds convened outside the Consulate General of Israel in Toronto, demanding a ceasefire, reinforcing their calls for institutional divestment from companies allegedly profiting from military actions in Gaza.

On 31st May, Vancouver police detained 14 protesters on charges of mischief and obstruction following a protest that disrupted road and rail traffic in East Vancouver. The Vancouver Police Department reported that approximately 100 protesters gathered at Kaslo Street and Grandview Highway, where the protest began around 11 a.m. and continued until about 2:30 p.m., at which point the detentions occurred. Protesters said they were calling on Canada and other Western governments to impose sanctions on Israel over its ongoing action in Gaza. According to civil society, extensive forms of police violence were inflicted, including deploying pepper spray, standing on the backs of cuffed citizens and placing knees on necks.

University protest encampments spark debate on civic freedoms

In recent months, university students have initiated peaceful protest encampments across various campuses, urging institutions to cut ties with and divest from companies associated with Israel. The first encampment appeared on 27th April 2024 at McGill University. Over the following weeks, additional encampments were set up, including on 29th April at the University of British Columbia, 2nd May at the University of Toronto, and 9th May at the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta.

Some Canadian universities have sought legal measures to disband encampments on their campuses. McGill University, the University of Toronto (U of T) and the Université du Québec à Montréal have all applied for court orders, aiming to compel police intervention to either remove or restrict protest encampments. Meanwhile, York University and the universities of Calgary, Alberta and Laval cleared encampments without resorting to legal injunctions. Moreover, these protests have been criticised by politicians and officials, who labelled them as “antisemitic” and “pro-Hamas.” Despite students’ calls for divestment and dialogue on peace, university administrations have requested police intervention.

On 3rd May, Amnesty International “urged universities, government authorities and law enforcement to ensure the safe protection of people’s right to protest at student demonstrations and counter-protests emerging on campuses across the country.”

On 9th May, Calgary police equipped with shields and riot gear dispersed a protest encampment on the University of Calgary campus. During the operation, confrontations arose between police and protesters, with officers deploying pepper spray. As a result, police detained four people for allegedly trespassing on campus property, later releasing them with a summons.

Official reports indicated no injuries during the intervention. However, the police response raised concerns among the university community. On 21st May 2024, over 600 signatories, including alumni, faculty, staff and students, formally addressed university leadership, requesting an independent review of the university’s protest response policies and its approach to campus safety and police involvement.

Student protests at the University of Alberta in Edmonton were dismantled on 11th May, with first-hand reports and video documenting police use of tear gas, batons and non-lethal rounds to disperse protesters. Police alleged no injuries, but students reported at least four students had been injured during the intervention to dismantle the protest camp.

Pro-Israel demonstrations in Canada

On 7th April, nearly 1,000 protesters gathered at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto to mark six months since the 7th October Hamas attack. This gathering in Toronto was part of several events across Canada commemorating the victims. Two days before, members of the Jewish diaspora displayed images of Israeli hostages and raised Israeli flags outside the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton. The Jewish Federation of Edmonton organised this event.

Thousands in Montreal march on May Day

On 1st May, over 1,000 protesters gathered in Montreal’s Saint-Michel area, spotlighting issues like the rising cost of living and achievements in public sector strikes. Marchers advocated for wage adjustments, improved housing access and environmental reforms, underscoring that inflation continues to outpace wage growth. Later, in a downtown anti-capitalist demonstration, clashes led police to deploy pepper spray following incidents of property damage. No detention or injuries were reported.

International Women’s Day March

On 8th March, Edmonton’s Indigenous community, activists and supporters gathered at Churchill Square to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls on International Women’s Day. Two days later, on 10th March, Women for Rights and Empowerment led a march from Corbett Hall along Whyte Avenue, advocating for women’s empowerment. Both events underscored the community’s dedication to justice and equality, addressing critical issues impacting women across diverse groups.

Canada sees spike in strikes as unions press for higher wages and job security

According to ACLED, labour protests across Canada spiked in March 2024, with demonstrations more than doubling since February as unions advocated for better wages, benefits and job security. The Canadian Union of Public Employees and Unifor intensified their participation, while the Ontario Public Service Employees Union protested potential changes to the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.

Throughout March, fishery workers in Newfoundland and Labrador protested over negotiations with the government regarding the buying and selling of fish outside the province. There were instances of clashes between protesters and police, as protesters attempted to block entry to the Confederation Building, where the legislature sits.

On 1st April, the group Nationwide Protest Against Carbon Tax mobilised hundreds of demonstrators across the country in 15 actions to protest a CAD$15-per-tonne increase in the federal consumer carbon price. Protesters blocked part of the Trans-Canada Highway, as reported by the National Post. There were no reports of violence or detentions.

In June, several union and labour strikes took place throughout Canada. The strikes focused on issues of contractual agreements with employees and included negotiations and mediation between unions, workers and airline companies and the Canada Border Services Agency.

Global mobilisation demands action on plastics as treaty negotiations begin

On 22nd April, in a global demonstration of solidarity, hundreds gathered in Ottawa on Earth Day to advocate for an ambitious Global Plastics Treaty ahead of the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4). This treaty represents a critical juncture for establishing a legally binding framework to combat plastic pollution and mitigate its adverse impacts on health, the environment and the climate.

The march, organised by Earthworks and supported by a broad coalition of civil society groups, called upon global leaders to prioritise a lifecycle approach to plastic production, use and disposal in treaty discussions, emphasising justice for communities disproportionately affected by pollution.

Civil society concerned over a draft law on Foreign Interference

On 10th June, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) expressed concerns over the draft Foreign Interference Bill (C-70) before the Canadian Parliament, which refers to issues of national security and could limit the right to assemble. The CCLA stated that, as the draft law appears now: “The new proposed offence of sabotage (essential infrastructure) under Part 2 is overbroad and risks suppressing peaceful protest”.

The CCLA has submitted recommendations on the draft legislation (C-70) that would strengthen protections for the right to peacefully assemble and to dissent. The CCLA also reiterated that civil society should be granted sufficient time to review all draft bills per the procedures and process of public consultation.

Expression

Montreal Police detained journalist

On 15th April 2024, Montreal police detained CUTV journalist Savanna Craig during her coverage of a pro-Palestinian protest in a downtown Scotiabank branch (see peaceful assembly). Police initially indicated she might face a charge of mischief under CAD$ 5,000. Following her detention, Craig identified herself with a press pass and camera equipment; police nonetheless processed her along with other demonstrators.

The Canadian Association of Journalists issued a statement calling on the police in Montreal to rescind charges of mischief brought against journalist Savanna Craig. Craig was questioned by police who challenged her presence at the protest on 15th April and which prevented the journalist from being able to report fully on the demonstration - a pro-Palestinian sit-in taking place at a private property. The Committee to Protect Journalists also called for the charges to be dropped.

Keffiyeh Ban in Ontario Legislature

On 17th April 2024, the Ontario Legislature upheld the restriction on wearing keffiyeh scarves within the legislative chamber following the defeat of a unanimous consent motion aimed at allowing the scarves. The ruling, instituted by Speaker Ted Arnott, reinforces existing legislative rules against political symbolism in the chamber. The keffiyeh, a symbol often associated with Palestinian solidarity, has been the subject of increased scrutiny within Ontario’s legislative assembly.

Speaker Arnott initially affirmed that the keffiyeh, when worn as a political statement, violates parliamentary decorum by introducing political symbolism into the chamber, a practice prohibited under current legislative rules aimed at ensuring a neutral environment for debate. A motion for unanimous consent was introduced to permit the wearing of keffiyehs within the chamber, but the motion failed as some members of the Progressive Conservative caucus opposed the proposal.

On 6th May, the Ontario Council Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) called on the speaker of the Ontario Legislature to lift his ban on keffiyehs in the Chamber: “The ban on wearing the Keffiyeh would be seen as a step toward sustaining laws that discriminate against members based on their culture, religion or faith - laws that do not adhere to promoting our core Canadian values of diversity, inclusion, and are based on arbitrary rules that do not apply equitably. Furthermore, to ban the wearing of the Keffiyeh on the basis that it is an ‘overt political statement’ assumes an artificial distinction or separation between what is ‘cultural’, ‘religious’ and ‘political’ where in reality those elements are inextricably interwoven in one’s identity and worldview.”

Association

Indigenous land defender sentenced for Fairy Creek protest against logging

On 26th April 2024, Angela Davidson, known as Rainbow Eyes, a Da’naxda’xw-Awaetlala land defender and deputy leader of Canada’s Green Party, was sentenced to 60 days in jail for peacefully protesting logging activities in the Fairy Creek watershed on Pacheedaht territory. Convicted of criminal contempt after repeatedly breaching an injunction that prohibited access obstructions on logging roads, Davidson also received an order to complete 75 hours of community service.

Supporters, including Green Party leader Elizabeth May, assert Davidson’s actions uphold Indigenous cultural responsibilities to safeguard the environment. They criticise the justice system’s approach, arguing it favours corporate interests over the public good.

Pro-Palestine activists targeted

According to media reports, the Toronto Police Service has engaged in enhanced policing operations targeting pro-Palestine activism since late 2023. The project, known as “Project Resolute,” led by the expanded Hate Crimes Unit, includes pre-dawn raids, selective detentions and surveillance of activists involved in Palestinian solidarity protests. Notably, police executed warrants for equipment and conducted detentions.

In mid-April 2024, after attending a protest at Union Station, Samantha was walking along College Street when an unknown person abruptly grabbed her wrist. She pulled away, took out her phone, and kept walking. The person followed, seized her wrist again and knocked the phone from her hand. “You can’t do that; that’s assault,” Samantha protested, recalling the incident in an interview with The Breach. Moments later, the person, joined by several others, encircled her, identified themselves as plainclothes police officers and declared her under detention. They informed her that the detention related to her participation in a peaceful sit-in held three months earlier, in January, at the Toronto office of Awz Ventures.