Tensions ran high Tuesday evening in Outremont at a public meeting on zoning changes
About 300 residents turned out for the second round of public consultations on a bylaw that would restrict new places of worship to one small part of the borough.
The borough council voted four-to-one in December to adopt the bylaw, but because of mistakes on the maps had to start again.
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.
Members of the Jewish community have told CTV they feel the move is discriminatory, and aimed at getting them out of certain neighbourhoods.
During Tuesday's meeting, Cinq-Mars stopped one person who had used up the three minutes allotted for public speakers.
That prompted dozens of Hasidic Jews to stand up, some holding signs that read "Phony Consultations."
Three dozen people then walked out of the meeting.
Supporters of the bylaw gave council a petition signed by more than 1,000 people.
The bylaw will next be discussed on May 30.
