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The City of Ottawa is considering regulations to provide for safe access to vulnerable social infrastructure like places of worship and religious centres, community centres, schools, daycares, and care homes.
The City of Ottawa is currently developing regulations to prohibit nuisance demonstrations and/or acts of intimidation or obstruction near vulnerable social infrastructure sites to ensure staff and patrons can safely access and use the services and amenities provided at these locations.
As the City of Ottawa considers this issue, we will be seeking community input on key questions:
What types of vulnerable social infrastructure would benefit from protection? How and when should the protection measures apply to these facilities and sites?
What type of protection zone or other measures are required to protect safe access, and how should they be administered and enforced?
Would the community benefit from this type of by-law? How would a person’s fundamental freedoms and rights – like the freedom of thought, belief and expression, and the freedom to peacefully assemble - be affected by the by-law?
Would a by-law that protects safe access to vulnerable sites but restricts these fundamental rights and freedoms be justified and balanced?
This review is expected to take about nine (9) months to complete, with a report to Council expected in early 2026.
This site will be updated with additional articles and consultation opportunities as the project progresses. Please check back regularly or subscribe to keep informed and share your views.
If you require assistance or are experiencing technical problems with this page, please contact us at bylawreviews@ottawa.ca.
The City of Ottawa is considering regulations to provide for safe access to vulnerable social infrastructure like places of worship and religious centres, community centres, schools, daycares, and care homes.
The City of Ottawa is currently developing regulations to prohibit nuisance demonstrations and/or acts of intimidation or obstruction near vulnerable social infrastructure sites to ensure staff and patrons can safely access and use the services and amenities provided at these locations.
As the City of Ottawa considers this issue, we will be seeking community input on key questions:
What types of vulnerable social infrastructure would benefit from protection? How and when should the protection measures apply to these facilities and sites?
What type of protection zone or other measures are required to protect safe access, and how should they be administered and enforced?
Would the community benefit from this type of by-law? How would a person’s fundamental freedoms and rights – like the freedom of thought, belief and expression, and the freedom to peacefully assemble - be affected by the by-law?
Would a by-law that protects safe access to vulnerable sites but restricts these fundamental rights and freedoms be justified and balanced?
This review is expected to take about nine (9) months to complete, with a report to Council expected in early 2026.
This site will be updated with additional articles and consultation opportunities as the project progresses. Please check back regularly or subscribe to keep informed and share your views.
If you require assistance or are experiencing technical problems with this page, please contact us at bylawreviews@ottawa.ca.
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As Ottawa considers regulations to protect safe access to vulnerable social infrastructure, we are researching and monitoring developments in other Canadian cities. Recent examples of how other municipalities have addressed this issue include:
Brampton: The Protecting Places of Worship from Nuisance Demonstrations By-law prohibits nuisance demonstrations within 100 meters of a place of worship. A nuisance demonstration is distinguished from a peaceful protest in that it causes a reasonable person to feel intimidated or unsafe or otherwise prevents them from safely accessing the place of worship.
Calgary: The Safe and Inclusive Access By-law prohibits protests “objecting to an idea or action related to human rights” within 100 meters of every community center and library, from one hour before they open until one hour after they close, and further prohibits blocking access to these facilities.
Oakville: The Safe Access to Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law prohibits specified protest within 20 meters of every school, daycare, hospital and library. Specified protest includes actions to dissuade or obstruct access to the facility. The by-law further prohibits the display of graphic images within 150 meters of the facility.
Toronto: The Access to Social Infrastructure By-law establishes access zones of 50 metres around specific houses of worship, childcare centres, or community centres. Access Zones are established by application from the site operator and prohibit obstruction of access to the site, including expressions of disapproval or discouragement directed at persons accessing the facility.
Vaughan: The Protecting Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law prohibits organizing or participating in a nuisance demonstration within 100 metres of the property line of any vulnerable social infrastructure (such as a place of worship, school, childcare centre, hospital or congregate care facility). A nuisance demonstration is distinguished from a peaceful protest in that it causes a reasonable person to feel intimidated or unsafe or otherwise prevents them from safely accessing the facility.
