Consultation findings and public opinion research

What are people saying about the Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law Review?

Two new reports shed light on this issue:

1. The Ekos public opinion research report measures city-wide opinion, including analysis from inner and outer urban, suburban and rural perspectives and the views of younger and older residents.
2. The Consultation Summary: What we learned report summarizes the views expressed by individuals and groups who submitted feedback through Engage Ottawa.

Public opinion research from Ekos shows 76 per cent support for safe access rules:

• 52 per cent strongly support, 24 per cent somewhat support
• 10 per cent strongly oppose, 8 per cent somewhat oppose

One in four residents surveyed indicated they avoided accessing facilities that provide healthcare, education, social services, or faith-based institutions due to concerns about demonstrations nearby. Among these, support for a new by-law was 88 per cent.

However, the Consultation Summary shows a highly polarized landscape. Most responses were either “strongly” opposed or “strongly” supportive of the need for a by-law.

Supporters of a by-law expressed a need for reasonable limits on demonstrations, with police enforcement when limits are exceeded. Supporters of a by-law further noted that access to social infrastructure must be protected and the desire for protection from hate and hate speech.

Opponents of a by-law expressed the belief that a by-law was unnecessary, would violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and would likely cause harm to marginalized communities by suppressing their voice or by uneven or biased enforcement.

The consultation period for this review is now closed. The data included in these reports will inform final recommendations and the staff report which is anticipated in late March or early April.

Follow this project for future updates as they occur.