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 3792 signatories
Page 22 of 253
Sebastien B. Finch, ON , K0C 1K0
Jun 6, 2025 - 12:34pm
Anonymous Reaboro, ON , K0L2X0
Jun 6, 2025 - 12:31pm
Sylvia M. Gander, NL , A1V0J6
Jun 6, 2025 - 12:27pm
Anonymous Vaughan , ON , L6A 1Y2
Jun 6, 2025 - 12:18pm
Gregory L. Moncton, NB , E1C 9Y7
Jun 6, 2025 - 12:08pm
Mark A. Brentwood Bay, BC , V8M 1J4
Jun 6, 2025 - 11:54am
Anonymous Windsor, ON , N9A6V7
Jun 6, 2025 - 11:52am
I believe there are 3 exceptions a) rape b) incest c) mother's health at risk and I should have the right to voice this opinon
Anonymous Havelock, ON , K0L 1Z0
Jun 6, 2025 - 11:50am
DAVID W. RICHMOND HILL, ON , L4S 1Y7
Jun 6, 2025 - 11:45am
William T. Fr., ON , L8V 3Y6
Jun 6, 2025 - 11:42am
Angela G. Lamont, AB , T0B 2R0
Jun 6, 2025 - 11:38am
PHIL L. ORILLIA, ON , L3V5E2
Jun 6, 2025 - 11:31am
Catherine P. Toronto, ON , M1M 2K1
Jun 6, 2025 - 11:31am
Peaceful protests are the right of every citizen. End of story.
Ryan H. Edson, AB , T7E 1B5
Jun 6, 2025 - 11:28am
Joy F. Enderby, BC , V4Y 4G4
Jun 6, 2025 - 11:25am