Petition

Stop Ottawa Bubble Zone By-law

0
4,000
SIGNATURE GOAL

Ottawa Parliament Hill


TO: Mr. Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa, and all Ottawa City Councillors

Ottawa is the capital city of our nation and, as such, serves as a beacon of our democratic rights and institutions. Your privilege and responsibility, as Ottawa City Councillors, is to guard this heritage. However, with the recent proposal of a new “bubble zone by-law” (the “Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law”), that heritage is under threat.

This far-reaching, undemocratic by-law could restrict lawful protests, demonstrations, rallies, and even conversation and prayer in a 100-metre radius around thousands of locations across the city, encompassing entire city blocks in some cases. Citizens will not be free to express themselves in these public spaces. It will be up to the subjective whims of by-law officers whether a person is saying the “wrong” words, holding the “wrong” sign, or praying the “wrong” prayer within these speech-suppression zones, with outrageous fines of up to $100,000 levied.

If the only purpose of this by-law is to stop criminal activity, as some claim, then it is absolutely redundant. Since the Criminal Code of Canada already prohibits harassment, threats, incitement of violence, and hate crimes, police have the power to halt unlawful protests and to arrest dangerous protesters across the entire city of Ottawa – not just in certain “bubble zones”. All residents are equally protected everywhere under the current law. If police enforcement is a problem, that is the issue you must address.

Otherwise, there is no reason for a new by-law, except to restrict the free expression of opinions and viewpoints that some deem “politically incorrect” or “offensive”.

Ottawa City Council does not have the right to take away our rights in public spaces. Our tax dollars pay for those spaces – they belong to every Canadian, and we should be free to peaceably share our opinions and concerns in those spaces.

After all, according to our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, “Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: ... freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression ... freedom of peaceful assembly...”

According to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, it is a “‘fundamental human right’ for people to gather to celebrate or to air grievances, ‘in public and in private spaces, outdoors, indoors and online.’ ... Governments could not prohibit protests by making ‘generalised references to public order or public safety, or an unspecified risk of potential violence.’”

Therefore, I call on you to reject the “bubble zone by-law” (the “Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law”) and to affirm your commitment to guard the rights and freedoms of all Canadians all across the entire city of Ottawa. Anything less is an affront to the heritage of our nation’s capital.

Sign This Petition Now!

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Signatures

Thus far 3755 signatories
Page 12 of 251
Vicki Lynne M. Victoria, BC , V8S 4J2
Jun 7, 2025 - 06:01am
Thank you for this petition. It really hurts that I am being excluded from free speech. We have to be very vigilant with any attempt to erode our Democracy. This is a wonderful letter prepared to stand with all citizens & is inclusive of all of us. God bless you.
Roger L. S. Pouce Coupe, BC , V0C 2C0
Jun 7, 2025 - 05:33am
Nick L. Chilliwack, BC , v2p7w7
Jun 7, 2025 - 04:34am
Anonymous Ennismore, ON , K0L1T0
Jun 7, 2025 - 01:43am
We have a demoncratic to lawfully protest! Why are you making our freedom of rights disappear like China?
Donna Y. Dawson Creek, BC, BC , V1G4H4
Jun 7, 2025 - 01:11am
Criminal code exists use it only.
Norma S. Redwater, AB , T0A 2W0
Jun 7, 2025 - 12:59am
Freedom of Speech is one of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Canadians under the United Nations Charter !
Daniel T. Sherwood Park , AB , T8A3A5
Jun 6, 2025 - 11:56pm
Greg and Mary D. Combermere, ON , K0j1l0
Jun 6, 2025 - 11:42pm
Dennis F. Saskatoon, SK , S7K4P9
Jun 6, 2025 - 11:26pm
Nathaniel P. Steinbach, MB , R5G 1N5
Jun 6, 2025 - 10:59pm
Jeanette S. Burnaby BC Canada, BC , V5E4B4
Jun 6, 2025 - 10:59pm
Thank goodness the Conservatives are there to represent the voice of reason !
margaret u. Port Alberni, BC , V9Y 7H4
Jun 6, 2025 - 10:57pm
linda m. COCHRANE, AB , T4C0M5
Jun 6, 2025 - 10:54pm
Christina L. Williamstown, ON , K0C 2J0
Jun 6, 2025 - 10:52pm
Donna T. Port Moody, BC , V3H 4T6
Jun 6, 2025 - 10:49pm