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New bylaw would create 'bubble zones' around schools, churches, long-term care homes
David Fraser · CBC News
Counter-protesters hold a banner near Broadview Public School in Ottawa in June 2023. A proposed bylaw would restrict protests outside schools, churches and other 'vulnerable' institutions. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe is proposing a new bylaw to regulate protests near schools, churches and other "vulnerable" sites as the city seeks to strike a balance between public safety and the right to free expression.
The "vulnerable social infrastructure bylaw" is being introduced in response to a rise in hate crimes and would create a buffer zone around places of worship, schools and long-term care homes, Sutcliffe said Wednesday.
"We want to make sure that every resident of Ottawa feels safe. We want to protect the right for people to protest as well and demonstrate. That's an essential part of being the capital of Canada," he said.
"But at the same time, we want to make sure that that's not taking place within a certain distance of religious institutions, community centres, schools, places where people gather and want to feel safe."
According to the notice of motion introduced Wednesday, city staff would be tasked with studying the option of creating what's colloquially known as "bubble zones" around specific locations. As part of the study, staff would consult with Ottawa police about the feasibility of such an approach.
Their findings would be presented as part of a broad review of special events bylaws in early 2025. A new bylaw could be in place soon after.
Demonstrators take part in an anti-vaccination protest in front of The Ottawa Hospital's Civic campus on Sept. 1, 2021. (Jonathan Dupaul/CBC)
Hate on the rise
According to Ottawa police statistics, hate crimes in Ottawa against members of the city's Muslim, Jewish, 2SLGBTQ+ and other minority communities increased by 19 per cent in 2023.
The proposal follows a similar measure enacted by Vaughan city council in June, which defined "vulnerable social infrastructure" as religious institutions, schools, child-care centres, hospitals and congregate care facilities.
Some Ottawa city councillors back a similar approach here.
"We've seen ... over the last several years protest activity, which is fine, and it's encouraged in the community," said Barrhaven West councillor David Hill. "However, we need to make sure that that doesn't creep into harassment, intimidation and violence."
Hill said the city's goal is to ensure protesters target the appropriate institutions without making residents feel unsafe.
"If you want to protest the federal government about a concern on a policy, come to Parliament Hill," he said. "But what we don't want is for senior citizens and long-term care homes to feel harassed, intimidated and unsafe."
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