The Ontario government says it will move forward to file an injunction at noon, Saturday in an effort to stop the planned Al-Quds Day rally in downtown Toronto.

A judge has “dismissed” the Ontario government’s request for an injunction to stop the Al-Quds Day rally in downtown Toronto, allowing the demonstration to proceed as planned Saturday afternoon.

The decision came hours after the Ford government filed an application seeking to block the annual rally, which organizers say will begin at 3 p.m. near the U.S. Consulate.

“The application for an interim interlocutory injunction is dismissed,” the judge said. “I am not satisfied that the Attorney General of Ontario has met the test for a injunction to prevent all persons from engaging in the Al Quds Day protest.”

This is a breaking news update. An earlier version of the story continues below.

Earlier in the day, a spokesperson for Premier Doug Ford confirmed to CP24 that the province would file the injunction at noon in an attempt to prevent the demonstration from going ahead.

Ford has argued the event should not be allowed to proceed.

“This demonstration is nothing more than a breeding ground for hate and antisemitism. It glorifies violence. It celebrates terrorism. It has no place in Ontario. It has no place in Canada,” Ford said in a video posted to social media on Friday.

This afternoon, I’ve instructed my Attorney General to pursue an injunction against the Al-Quds Day demonstration planned for Toronto.

Hate, violence and intimidation have no place on the streets of Canada and our government will fight it however we can. pic.twitter.com/5QbvxxpxOg

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) March 13, 2026

The premier added that police should intervene if there are signs of hate, violence or the glorification of terrorist organizations.

“I believe deeply in our fundamental freedom of speech. But nobody in this province has the right to incite violence, and no one has a free license to hate. We won’t stand for it.”

Lawyers representing the rally organizers previously said they were confident the government would not succeed in obtaining an injunction.

Stephen Ellis, legal counsel for the organizers, told CTV News Toronto Friday that the province would not be able to demonstrate that the event poses a threat.

“They’re not going to be able to convince a judge that our march is going to pose a threat to anyone. You have to show some kind of evidence. And they’ve got nothing,” Ellis said.

He also said the demonstration would remain peaceful.

“This demonstration takes place every year, and what it’s about is that it’s a commemoration of the Palestinian struggle for their freedom.”

Toronto police have said they are preparing for the demonstration regardless of the legal challenge.

On Thursday, Supt. Craig Young said officers would activate a “major incident command centre” and deploy additional resources around the U.S. Consulate.

Craig Young Supt. Craig Young, who oversees Emergency Management and Public Order speaks to media on Thursday March 12, 2026 (CP24 photo).

“We have stepped up our resources around the United States Consulate. We do have a specific plan in place for Saturday to protect the U.S. Consulate, and I will leave it at that for now,” Young said.

Police say their focus will be maintaining public order while allowing demonstrators and counter-protesters to exercise their rights.

With files from CP24’s Bryann Aguilar and CTV News Toronto’s Natalie Johnson…