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 3798 signatories
Page 3 of 254
Michelle L. Stittsville, ON , K2S 0B7
Jul 5, 2025 - 11:08am
This is too far reaching and smacks of far reaching government control versus our right to freedom of expression and speech.
Kathy H. Edmonton, AB , T5A 1Y1
Jul 5, 2025 - 01:31am
Terry E. North Vancouver, BC , V7k2x1
Jul 4, 2025 - 06:10pm
Anonymous Port Coquitlam, BC , V3B3P1
Jul 4, 2025 - 05:40pm
Sophie S. Ottawa, ON , ON
Jul 4, 2025 - 02:13pm
Yes indeed. If people are offended, then they should look at themselves and ask themselves why the protests are bringing up such uncomfortable feelings. That’s probably the voice of their conscience that they are ignoring.
Anonymous PerthAndover, NB , E7H1Y6
Jul 4, 2025 - 12:19pm
Michelle S. Toronto, ON , M6C 2N5
Jul 4, 2025 - 02:10am
Colleen L. Ottawa, ON , K1G 4E4
Jul 3, 2025 - 05:55pm
Nathan A. OTTAWA, ON , K1G 2H1
Jul 3, 2025 - 04:37pm
Emma-leigh D. Winkler, MB , R6W 0G4
Jul 3, 2025 - 10:53am
Roberta K. Dunnville, ON , N1A 2W7
Jul 3, 2025 - 09:21am
Anonymous Mississauga, ON , L5N7C9
Jul 2, 2025 - 10:51pm
Guy.. G. Niagara Falls, ON , L2G3G3
Jul 2, 2025 - 03:54pm
Anonymous Stirling, ON , K0K3E0
Jul 1, 2025 - 02:39pm
Leslie Anne J. London, ON , N6H 4N4
Jun 28, 2025 - 04:01pm