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 3767 signatories
Page 68 of 252
Wendy C. Swift Current, SK , S9H 1X8
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:27pm
Elise C. Onaping, ON , P0M 2R0
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:27pm
they might as well remove all our tongues, because we won't stop speaking the word of God.
Sara H. Milton , ON , L9T2Z2
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:26pm
Karla G. Saskatoon, SK , S7H3R1
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:26pm
Christina S. , ON , L6H0L3
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:26pm
John V. Barrhead, AB , T7n1n4
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:26pm
Anonymous Vancouver, BC , V5L 4Y1
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:26pm
Shame on you!
Nancy W. Cambridge, ON , N1S 3H2
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:26pm
Janis P. Smooth Rock Falls, ON , P0L 2B0
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:26pm
Anonymous Golden Lake, ON , K0J 1X0
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:25pm
This is completely undemocratic! Remember FREE SPEECH, The right to your opinion. Ottawa belongs to all CANADIANS not just the ones who reside there, it is the place we need to go to let the government know we are happy or unhappy with their decisions
Wade K. Saskatoon , SK , S7K4P5
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:25pm
I’m deeply concerned for the country I call home that if this by law is passed that our ability to hold peaceful protests will be nullified. This deeply concerns me because if my opinions go against my civic, provincial or federal governments I’ve lost my voice and this DEEPLY concerns me. Our democratic country will be lost.
Vesna S. Stoney Creek, ON , L8G3A6
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:25pm
Ann N. Oliver, BC , V0H 1T3
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:24pm
Wilma F. Fort Saskatchewan , AB , T8L1T3
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:24pm
Anonymous Moncton, NB , no
Jun 5, 2025 - 02:23pm
Free speech is a right given to be people by the Godhead. No one on this earth has the authority or right to block free speech.