MONTREAL — The Quebec Court of Appeal has upheld a lower-court decision, striking down a municipal bylaw restricting when Jehovah’s Witnesses can go door-to-door to promote their religion.
The City of Blainville, north of Montreal, argued that many of its residents don’t want Jehovah’s Witnesses at their door on weekends or evenings.
Justice Pierre Dalphond ruled that municipalities could adopt bylaws regulating door-to-door canvassing to guarantee the peace and safety of residents.
But he said, it must be consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The ruling upholds a lower-court decision that declared the bylaw unconstitutional.
Blainville can re-write the bylaw as long as it guarantees the freedom of religion which is protected in the charter.