Petition

Stop Ottawa Bubble Zone By-law

0
3,000
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 2492 signatories
Page 162 of 167
Barry W. Saskatoon, SK , S7M 5V3
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:18pm
Anonymous St. John’s , NL , A1X 7E2
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:18pm
William H. Napanee, ON , K7R 3T3
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:18pm
Alexander M. Thunder Bay, ON , P7B2A4
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:18pm
Marlene L. W. Cochrane, Alberta, AB , T4C1A4
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:17pm
Anonymous Kingston, ON , K7L4P4
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:17pm
Derrick W. Cobourg , ON , K9A3C8
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:17pm
Jeffrey P. Howe Island, Gananoque, ON , K7G2V6
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:17pm
There is no need for more enhancements around our capital city buildings. You are off base with this proposal. If you believe in freedom of expression then drop this proposed law. I've always believed in what can be for you, can be used against you. Please drop this proposal. Thank you Jeff Page
David K. Oakville, ON , L6L 5E6
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:17pm
Renate V. Peterbrough , ON , K9j4n8
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:17pm
Anonymous Cartier, MB , R4k 1a4
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:17pm
Craziness…
June K. Airdrie, AB , T4A 2A2
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:17pm
Alice M. Stony plain , AB , T7Z 1C1
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:17pm
Brendan B. Carman, MB , R0g0j0
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:17pm
GARY H. Waterloo, ON , N2L 2T6
Oct 30, 2024 - 01:17pm