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CTV News
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
5 things to know about Ottawa's new rules for festivals and events
The City of Ottawa is proposing new rules for food trucks, exemptions for bar and restaurant owners to host after-hours events and allowing for late-night noise exemptions when outdoor festivals are affected by weather delays to help the city shake the image as the town that fun forgot. A new report recommends the implementation of a new Special Events Bylaw and a Highway Events Bylaw to regulate festivals, events and other activities indoors, outdoors and on roadways across Ottawa. The bylaw would replace the current Special Events on Private and Public Property Bylaw. There were 228 events in the City of Ottawa last year, up seven per cent from the year before. The Ottawa Festival Network says large festivals support approximately 70,000 jobs and generate over $320 million in spending annually. 'Staff's review indicates that while the existing bylaws have largely been effective, growing demand and increasing complexity of events necessitate updates to improve operational efficiency and enhance public safety,' the report says. A joint meeting of the Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee and the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee will discuss the proposal on May 15. CTV News Ottawa looks at five proposed changes for special events in Ottawa: Late-night noise exemptions Festivals and events will be allowed to keep the party going after 11 p.m. in the event of severe weather, power failures or other 'unforeseen delays.' Currently, noise exemptions are allowed until 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays. Staff say event organizers asked for 'additional flexibility' when outdoor events are impacted by weather, power failures, technical difficulties or transportation delays for artists and athletes. The new bylaw will allow event organizers to extend their event until midnight if the event is impacted by 'unavoidable delays' beyond their control. Under the proposal, the director of Bylaw and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the ward councillor, will be able to approve a 60-minute extension. Food trucks on the move The proposed new bylaw would provide 'more opportunities' for food trucks and mobile vendors to set up at block parties, street festivals, night markets and other events on roadways, according to staff. 'Under the recommended changes, one licensed food truck or mobile vendor would be able to participate in a block party without requiring additional permits or approvals,' says the report. 'Multiple food trucks or mobile vendors would be able to participate in other highway events without requiring additional permits or approvals.' After-hours events in bars and restaurants The City of Ottawa is proposing reducing the red tape for bar and restaurant owners and special events operators to offer late-night events. The city currently requires events 'where any part of the event takes place between the hours of 3 a.m. and 9 a.m.' to obtain an All-Night Dance Event licence. However, staff note the Ontario government has enacted new rules for licensed establishments to serve until 3 a.m. on New Year's Day, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario may also issue periodic extensions to hours of operations for licensed establishments and Special Event Permits for unlicensed venues celebrating events. To remove duplicate requirements for inspections and approvals, the city's new bylaw would create an exemption within the All-Night Dance Event Licence for venues operating under an AGCO licence or permit, so they wouldn't require a new permit from the city. 'Safer Events' training The new Special Events Bylaw will require staff and volunteers to complete the Ottawa Public Health 'Safer Events' training course prior to working or volunteering at events. The annual requirement will apply to all staff and volunteers 12 and older. The Ottawa Public Health training course provides information to help reduce risks associated with mental health, violence, and substance use, according to the city. 'Equipping special event staff and volunteers with this knowledge supports earlier and more effective intervention, thereby reducing harm for patrons, risk for event organizers and service demand for emergency services,' staff say. Weekday road closures The City of Ottawa will be changing the rules for road closures on weekdays, giving staff and the ward councillor the authority to close roads. Currently, parades and sporting events are not permitted on a city street during weekday peak period traffic hours, and sidewalk sales are prohibited between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. during weekday periods. Under the new Highway Events Bylaw, the general manager of Public Works and the ward councillor can approve the closure of an arterial road or major collector between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays for events. The City of Ottawa is also proposing new rules for demonstrations, no longer requiring organizers to obtain a special event permit. The new rules would require 'voluntary notification' to the city ahead of a planned demonstration or event.
CTV News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Ottawa eyes new ‘voluntary notification' system for protest organizers
Organizers will no longer need to obtain a special event permit from the City of Ottawa for protests, rallies and demonstrations in the capital, under a proposed 'new approach to demonstrations' that will require 'voluntary notification' to the city ahead of a planned event. The city is proposing the implementation of a new Special Events Bylaw and Highway Events Bylaw to regulate events held outdoors and on roadways in Ottawa. A joint meeting of the Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee and the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee will discuss the proposal on May 15. Staff are recommending a 'new approach to demonstrations,' replacing the requirement for protest organizers to obtain a permit and instead provide 'voluntary notification,' which will result in 'better collaboration and information sharing between the city, protest organizers and the public.' 'The recommended Highway Events Bylaw removes demonstrations from the permit regime and establishes a notification system instead, which focuses on the distribution of critical demonstration-related information pertinent to the safe and effective management of the event,' says the staff report. 'This will remove requirements from the current bylaw for demonstrators to obtain a special event permit and insurance before exercising their right to peacefully protest or hold a demonstration. The purpose of this framework is to provide a mechanism for individuals to inform the city of a demonstration that will occur on City property.' The City of Ottawa responded to approximately 44 major demonstrations in 2024 that required support and service adjustments from Public Works, Transit Services and Emergency and Protective Services, according to the report. While the Ottawa Public Service would continue to serve as the 'primary responder and enforcement agency' to 'preserve the peace and maintain public safety,' staff say the city is adopting the role of a primary coordination body on information management. 'This approach reflects that demonstrations that are peaceful are inherently recognized under the right to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly as established in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,' staff say. 'As such, demonstrations would now leverage City support via a voluntary notification system that encourages the event organizer to provide information to the City to achieve improved event success.' Staff say the new notification system for demonstrations is consistent with the approaches used in other Canadian municipalities. The new Highway Events Bylaw will have the following rules for demonstrations on toads: Banners and signs must not pose a hazard to traffic or people and must comply with city bylaws. No standing or proceeding in a way that obstructs the highway; must follow permit specifications or directions from the General Manager of Public Works or police officers. No obstructing pedestrians not participating in the event, ingress or egress to adjacent properties, or operations of businesses or entities on adjacent properties. No going over, under or through barriers installed by police or moving barriers without authorization. No obstructing emergency vehicles or access for buses at bus stops. Must comply with all applicable bylaws, provincial and federal statutes, and regulations. If approved by council, the notification system will begin to be implemented this year. 1M March Ottawa Sep 20 Police officers keep pro- and anti-LGBTQ2S+ demonstrators separate on Wellington Street. The "1 Million March for Children" is opposed to teaching and acknowledging LGBTQ2S+ issues in schools. Counter-protesters showed up to express support for LGBTQ2S+ children. Sept. 20, 2023. (Natalie van Rooy/CTV News Ottawa) The report says the city consulted with the Ottawa Public Service, Ontario Provincial Police, the RCMP and Global Affairs Canada on the proposed changes. 'Overall, enforcement agencies expressed a desire for earlier notification of possible demonstration activities and for clarity concerning bylaws that policing agencies can apply to manage demonstration activity,' staff said. 'All agencies were supportive of the new framework, and the associated push for collaboration with demonstration organizers in sharing information with the municipality to provide for enhanced coordination.' The proposed Highway Events Bylaw will not govern vehicle-based demonstrations. Staff say vehicle-based events attempting to hold an event must still following all municipal bylaws, the Criminal Code and the Highway Traffic Act. The new Special Events Bylaw would cover outdoor special events with 500 or more participants, while the Highway Events Bylaw will address specific highway events such as block parties, sidewalk sales, film projects and other events that will be held on roadways. Other proposed changes under the new Special Events Bylaw and the Highway Events Bylaw includes:
