The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) is encouraging Brampton city council to change its lawn sign bylaw or face a legal challenge. .“The sign bylaw is an infringement of Section 2b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” said CCF Litigation Director Christine Van Geyn in a Monday letter. .“To the extent that it prohibits individuals from putting municipal election signs on their own property, it is an unjustified restriction on the right of those residents to freedom of expression, in particular, their constitutionally protected right to engage in political speech.” .Brampton city council passed an amendment to the city’s sign bylaw on Saturday, restricting the display of posters on private property and requiring people put them in windows. .The city council said this move would reduce the proliferation of signage, leading to less visual clutter and driver distraction, mitigate the environmental impact, and reduce costs..“Lawn signs are an outdated, expensive and ineffective campaign tactic which has become a nuisance for residents, and a huge expense for candidates, their municipality, and the environment,” said Brampton Coun. Rowena Santos..Van Geyn said the bylaw cannot be justified in a free, democratic society. She added the bylaw “lacks a rational connection to a valid public purpose, is not minimally impairing, and is disproportionate.” .There are a number of cases which have considered sign restrictions. Restrictions less impairing than Brampton’s have been struck down by courts across Canada. .The letter said the CCF has spoken with Brampton residents who are interested in working with it to challenge the law. .“While we have extensive experience successfully litigating on this issue, it's in everyone’s interest, including the taxpayers of Brampton, that council reconsider the Sign Bylaw to achieve compliance with the Charter,” said Van Geyn. .Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown was re-elected October 24, securing 35,000 votes to his main rival Nikki Kaur's 15,000..READ MORE: Ontario municipal elections see Tory and Brown re-elected.“We are going to keep sticking up for this city,” said Brown. .“We are going to work day in and day out to move Brampton forward."
