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 18 of 251
Shan L. Markham, ON , L6C 7R5
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:43pm
Pat P. Winnipeg, MB , R2C 2X2
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:40pm
Irene W. Regina, SK , S4N2V2
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:35pm
Anonymous Ottawa , ON , K2S0S2
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:18pm
Jeannette K. Toronto , ON , M4b 1a4
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:15pm
Be Blessed as you stand for life of babies and elderly. Jeannette
Kathryn P. Cache Creek, BC , V0K1H0
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:14pm
This particular bylaw makes the assumption that anyone can actually know when anyone is “praying”. Since the majority of people are unable or incapable of “mind reading” it is impossible to ascertain whether or not a prayer is being performed therefore an arrest or punishment is malicious and unwarranted.
N S. Hamiota, MB , R0M 0T0
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:14pm
OCTAVIO B. WINNIPEG, MB , R2K1L5
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:12pm
Brenda I. Oakville, ON , L6J 5H6
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:10pm
Anonymous Calgary, AB , T3G 5Y7
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:09pm
Madeleine P. Joliette, QC , J6E9B3
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:04pm
Anonymous Burnt River, ON , K0M 1C0
Jun 6, 2025 - 01:00pm
Anonymous Eagle Lake, ON , K0M 1M0
Jun 6, 2025 - 12:59pm
Children need to be protected. That is what parents, grandparents and family is here to accomplish!
Anonymous , 0 , V2J 2K4
Jun 6, 2025 - 12:51pm
Valerie W. Smoky Lake, AB , T0A3C0
Jun 6, 2025 - 12:47pm
Restricting free speech in public places is Communism, not Democracy.