Latest news with #AllanHubley
CBC
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Council votes to draft 'bubble bylaw' to curtail protests near 'vulnerable' sites
Ottawa city councillors voted on Friday to draft a bylaw creating 80-metre buffer zones to limit demonstrations around sites and facilities considered "vulnerable public infrastructure." If enacted, a so-called "bubble zone bylaw" could restrict protests near institutions such as schools, hospitals and places of worship. It would be aimed at preventing harassment and hate speech. A joint meeting of council's Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services and Public Works and Infrastructure committees voted 14-2 in favour of the motion, after Coun. Allan Hubley proposed modifications to Coun. David Hill's original draft. Hubley's modifications aimed to mitigate concerns that Hill's original motion contained terms such as "nuisance demonstration" and "intimidation" that were considered too subjective and risked giving police too much discretion in enforcing the bylaw. The amended motion proposed a more "narrowly tailored" bylaw to prohibit demonstrations "during operational hours or specific high-risk periods" within 80 metres of "vulnerable social infrastructure." The motion specifically exempts protests over labour disputes or negotiations, as well as demonstrations not specifically directed at a protected site. Embassies, city hall and Parliament would still be fair game for demonstrations, even if those buildings contain educational facilities, clinics or other care services. City entering 'area of risk,' councillor warns In bringing the motion, Hill insisted "common sense prevails." "What we're looking for is a made-in-Ottawa solution for Ottawa," he said. After the vote, Hill told CBC the ultimate goal is to introduce "a bubble zone bylaw that will help keep our community safe while allowing for peaceful protest." But Coun. Sean Devine, who alongside Coun. Jessica Bradley voted against the motion, said he worried the city had "chartered into an area of risk." "We may have also kind of cleaved away at some fundamental rights and freedoms," he told CBC after the vote. Devine said he's concerned "legitimate, grounded and reasonable protest" could be restricted by the bylaw. "Protest is dialogue, protest is exchange, and we need dialogue, we need exchange as a means of trying to bring about necessary change sometimes," the Knoxdale-Merivale councillor said. Devine, who was earlier outvoted in a separate motion to defer the plan, said he fears the city is rushing ahead unnecessarily. "We are not the experts on these kind of constitutional matters," he said. A lively debate The motion followed two days of lively debate and personal testimony from Ottawa residents, some strongly in favour and others strongly against the proposed bylaw Members of Ottawa's Jewish community spoke of feeling particularly under threat since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas and Israel's military response, both of which have sparked demonstrations in Ottawa. Ted Cohen, the CEO of Hillel Lodge, a long-term care home on Broadview Avenue housing several Jewish residents including Holocaust survivors, described a loud protest outside a nearby Jewish community centre last fall. "Protesters arrived with signage, flags, banners, bullhorns, loudspeakers and drums. Most had their faces covered. The protest was loud, forceful and unrelenting," Cohen said, adding that speakers used during the demonstration were so powerful that vibrations could be felt inside the home. "Staff reported residents asking repeatedly, 'What's happening? Why are they yelling? Are we in danger?'" Cohen continued. He'd like demonstrations around nursing homes to face restrictions. At the same time, several people who urged councillors to vote against developing the bylaw invoked separate demonstrations last year targeting so-called "gender ideology" outside Nepean High School. Those demonstrations inspired counter-protests that participants and supporters said allowed them to feel safer and exercise their own Charter rights. If a bubble of 100 metres was imposed between protests and protected sites, as some have recommended, "I'm still going to be putting my body between these people and my children," said Katy de Sousa, a parent of a child attending school in the area. On the other hand, "if I cross to 99 metres, [there's a fear] I'm going to be slammed with a ticket that's going to change my livelihood," she said.
CTV News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
City of Ottawa committee votes to draft ‘bubble zone' bylaw for protests and demonstrations
A City of Ottawa committee is directing staff to proceed with drafting a 'bubble bylaw' that would prohibit 'nuisance' protests and demonstrations near certain community spaces, including schools, hospitals and places of worship. After hearing from more than 40 public delegations in support and opposed to a proposed bylaw, councillors on the emergency preparedness and protective services committee and public works and infrastructure committee voted 14-2 in favour of proceeding with the development of a 'Vulnerable Infrastructure Bylaw.' The motion, introduced by coun. Allan Hubley, directs staff to develop a so-called 'bubble bylaw' within a nine-month timeline, incorporating the following considerations: Prohibition of nuisance demonstrations : 'The bylaw shall prohibit specific nuisance demonstrations within a defined distance of vulnerable social infrastructure,' the motion states. Places may include, but not limited to, places of worship, schools, hospitals, and long-term care and congregate care facilities. : 'The bylaw shall prohibit specific nuisance demonstrations within a defined distance of vulnerable social infrastructure,' the motion states. Places may include, but not limited to, places of worship, schools, hospitals, and long-term care and congregate care facilities. Time-limited protective zones : The motion recommends staff establish 'time-limited protective zones that are only active during operational hours or specific high-risk periods.' : The motion recommends staff establish 'time-limited protective zones that are only active during operational hours or specific high-risk periods.' Protective distance : The motion directs staff to assess and recommend 'an appropriate protective distance around vulnerable social infrastructure' and consider 'other means' to protect safe access including approval to erect barricades and close highways : The motion directs staff to assess and recommend 'an appropriate protective distance around vulnerable social infrastructure' and consider 'other means' to protect safe access including approval to erect barricades and close highways Targeted application : Hubley's motion recommends including provisions in the bylaw to ensure 'protective zones do not apply to demonstrations that are not specifically directed at the protected vulnerable social infrastructure.' : Hubley's motion recommends including provisions in the bylaw to ensure 'protective zones do not apply to demonstrations that are not specifically directed at the protected vulnerable social infrastructure.' Labour/internal exemption : The motion recommends the bylaw 'explicitly exempts lawful labour union protests, strikes, pickets, or any other activities undertaken as part of a labour dispute or negotiation.' : The motion recommends the bylaw 'explicitly exempts lawful labour union protests, strikes, pickets, or any other activities undertaken as part of a labour dispute or negotiation.' Offences and penalties: Staff are directed to include 'appropriate offences and penalties' in the bylaw. The motion says if the Ontario or federal government enacts legislation pertaining to vulnerable infrastructure, the city will report back with an analysis for legislation. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe expressed support for the 'bubble bylaw' earlier this week, saying he had been consulting with community representatives on how to implement a bylaw that would protect vulnerable spaces from harassment and intimidation. 'The message I've heard is that we need to take a very careful, balanced, and strategic approach to this issue. The community expects us to defend the right to protest while protecting vulnerable institutions and individuals from threats and intimidation,' Sutcliffe said. In a post on social media after the committee approved drafting a 'bubble zone' bylaw, Sutcliffe thanked community leaders who provided input and advice to the committee. 'I'm pleased to see a strong vote of support from members of the committee for proceeding with a balanced approach that will respect and protect the right to demonstrate and protest while ensuring that residents have access to important spaces such as schools, hospitals and places of worship,' Sutcliffe said. 'Thanks to all the councillors who collaborated on a solution that achieved a wide consensus.' Thank you to the many community leaders who provided input and advice over the past two days as a joint committee of city council considered a new bylaw to protect vulnerable social infrastructure. I'm pleased to see a strong vote of support from members of the committee for… — Mark Sutcliffe (@_MarkSutcliffe) May 16, 2025 Earlier this year, staff recommended council take a 'cautious approach' to drafting a bylaw and proposed a comprehensive review of a bylaw before moving forward. Staff also warned any bubble zone bylaw would be at risk of legal challenges. Vaughan's bubble bylaw restricts demonstrations within 100 metres or a 'reasonable distance' from a religious institution, school childcare centre, hospital or congregate care facility.' Protesters who violate the bylaw face fines of up to $100,000. Council must still approve the motion to direct staff to develop a bylaw for Ottawa. With files from CTV News Ottawa's William Eltherington
