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 17 of 251
June S. Willow Beach, ON , L0E1S0
Jun 6, 2025 - 02:46pm
Free speech is basic in Canadian values !
Gary Y. Calgary, AB , T2S 0Z1
Jun 6, 2025 - 02:43pm
Anonymous Moncton, NB , E1G 1R5
Jun 6, 2025 - 02:39pm
Liam V. Dartmouth, NS , B2W0N6
Jun 6, 2025 - 02:35pm
Anonymous Saanichton , BC , V8M1T1
Jun 6, 2025 - 02:29pm
This could set a dangerous precedent if this bylaw is approved.
Charlotte M. Hythe , AB , T0H 2C0
Jun 6, 2025 - 02:26pm
Anonymous Surrey, BC , V4A 1P5
Jun 6, 2025 - 02:17pm
Janice F. orleans, ON , k4a4y9
Jun 6, 2025 - 02:16pm
Anonymous Barry's Bay, ON , K0J 1L0
Jun 6, 2025 - 02:08pm
this is a violation of our rights
Sue S. London, ON , N6k 4j2
Jun 6, 2025 - 02:00pm
Lucas M. Calgary, AB , T3G 4C5
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:55pm
Mariette C. Comber, ON , NOP1J0
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:49pm
Lynne B. Stony Mountain, MB , R0C3A0
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:46pm
Anonymous Maple Ridge, BC , V2X 0J7
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:44pm
Grant S. Prince William, NB , E6K 3S5
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:44pm