BC Proposes to Create Safe Zones Around Places of Worship

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a press conference following the throne speech in Victoria, B.C., on Feb. 12, 2026. The Canadian Press/Chad HipolitoBritish Columbia is introducing legislation to establish safe zones around places of worship to ensure individuals can attend without obstruction, intimidation, or harassment.The province said in a March 9 news release that it intends to table Bill 13, the Safe Access to Places of Public Worship Act, to create protections for people accessing places of worship, such as mosques, temples, gurdwaras, synagogues, and churches. The concept is similar to the province’s Safe Access to Schools Act that established safe zones around schools.