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 3764 signatories
Page 58 of 251
George N. Chilliwack, BC , V2R5W5
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:28pm
Anonymous Ottawa, ON , K2C 0A6
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:28pm
It is our fundamental human right to gather peacefully to celebrate or to air grievances, ‘in public and in private spaces, outdoors, indoors and online.
Adam P. Prince Albert, SK , S6V 2L6
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:27pm
This draconian measure against constitutionally protected free speech must not be allowed to proceed further. Current legislation preventing harassment and intimidation is more than sufficient.
Anonymous Grunthal, MB , R0A 0R0
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:27pm
Sid B. Vernon, BC , V1B 3Z4
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:27pm
Tony P. Dieppe, NB , E1A 1W4
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:27pm
Saunia B. Weedon, QC , J0B 3J0
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:26pm
Anonymous Montreal, QC , H3J 2X1
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:26pm
This isn't correct. The unborn have the same inherent dignity as the born.
Diane B. Rocky Mountain House , AB , T4T 1M3
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:25pm
Thomas B. Exeter, ON , N0M 1S1
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:25pm
Liborio C. East Gwillimbury, ON , L9N 2E6
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:24pm
Anthony T. Fredericton, NB , E3B2S2
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:24pm
Anonymous , 0 , K0H 2H0
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:24pm
Jean H. Hamilton, ON , L8T. 3A5
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:23pm
Anonymous Cape Dorset, NU , X0A0C0
Jun 5, 2025 - 03:23pm
Freedom of speech is the bedrock of democracy. O Ottawa, capital of this beautiful nation, may you live up to the words of our anthem, ". . keep our land glorious and FREE!