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The city is looking at a “bubble bylaw” that would limit demonstrations around churches, mosques, synagogues, schools and other institutions that support “vulnerable community members.”
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe announced the measure with a Tuesday afternoon post on the social media site X. Hate crimes against Jews, Muslims, and members of the LGBTQ+ community rose by 19 per cent last year, Sutcliffe said, a disturbing trend that he said was “a call to action.”
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“No one should feel threatened or intimidated when attending their place of worship, school, community centre, or any other gathering space,” the mayor’s post said. “Our mosques, churches, synagogues, and other institutions play a crucial role in supporting some of our most vulnerable community members, including seniors and children. They are not just places of faith; they are essential pillars of our city.”
The motion at Wednesday’s council meeting, to be moved by Kanata South Coun. Allan Hubley, calls for the city to explore a “vulnerable social infrastructure bylaw,” sometimes called upon “bubble bylaw.” The City of Vaughan enacted a bubble bylaw in June that makes it illegal for anyone to organize a “nuisance” demonstration, one that is “likely, on an objective standard, to cause a reasonable person to be intimidated,” within 100 metres “vulnerable social infrastructure.” That includes schools, community centres and religious institutions.
Ottawa has seen a number of demonstrations that targeted such institutions. In 2023, two groups clashed on Broadview Avenue near Nepean and Notre Dame high schools when B.C.-based anti-trans activist “Billboard Chris” Elston organized a demonstration against puberty blockers and what he called “gender ideology.” Five people were arrested.
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The ongoing Mideast war between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah has led to numerous demonstrations this year. Earlier this month, dozens of people gathered outside the Soloway Jewish Community Centre in a noisy late-night anti-Israel protest that was also adjacent to Hillel Lodge, a long-term care facility for seniors.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers were harassed by anti-vaccination demonstrators outside hospitals.
Such bubble bylaws date back to the 1990s when several provinces followed B.C.’s lead to enact laws restricting demonstrations outside abortion clinics and the homes of doctors who provide abortions. The abortion bubble zone law was upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada.
In his X post, Sutcliffe said a bubble bylaw “aims to enhance safety for all community spaces, ensuring they remain welcoming and secure while still respecting the right to peaceful protest.
“Every resident of Ottawa deserves to feel safe and secure, and free from discrimination of any kind.”
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