Outrement borough council has once again passed a bylaw restricting the construction of new places of worship.
The council adopted the bylaw on Monday following a third round of public consultations.
Borough Mayor Marie Cinq-Mars said the council wants to prevent churches, synagogues, mosques or other houses of worship from opening in Outremont's commercial district because they feel it's not appropriate for businesses and houses of worship to be side-by-side.
Existing places of worship are not affected, but new places will be limited to an industrial park.
Many Hasidic Jews in the borough say they feel they are being attacked by a measure that clearly does not take their religious beliefs into account.
"Don't forget, we don't drive on the sabbath and we take our small children and there's a winter here," said Alex Werzberger.
"When the temperature gets coolish and if you have to walk seven, eight blocks when it's ten, fifteen below zero, when you can have a synagogue two blocks away from here, why?"
Devout Jews follow a strict biblical code regarding a day of rest, and on that day are not permitted to work, which includes bringing certain items, such as house keys, strollers, or canes out of the neighbourhood near their home.
As a result some Jews would be violating their beliefs in going to a synagogue in an industrial area.
They believe the councillors who voted for the restriction are trying to get them to move away.
"To get us out of here. We're not going anywhere," said Werzberger.
The borough first approved the measure last year, but had to redo its work after noticing an error on its maps.
Now the council has approved a new bylaw, and opponents say they will take the steps necessary to block it by calling for a referendum.
If enough citizens sign a registry, the bylaw will go to another vote.
Opponents expect, with about one-quarter of Outremont residents being Hasidic Jews, they will easily be able to force a referendum.
