Proposed system could allow widespread restrictions with minimal oversight
On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, lawyers funded by the Justice Centre issued a legal warning to Ottawa City Council regarding a proposed bylaw that could significantly restrict freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in the nation’s capital.
Ottawa City Council is considering the “Safe Access to Social Infrastructure Bylaw,” which would allow institutions such as places of worship, schools, childcare centres, healthcare facilities, and residential care homes to request the creation of “safe access zones” extending 50 metres around each access point.
To establish a zone, an institution need only submit an application along with an attestation of a “reasonable apprehension” that certain conduct may interfere with access, after which the general manager is required to approve the request without further vetting. These zones would remain in place for one year and could be renewed indefinitely. The safety zones not only ban what is deemed obstructive or intimidating behaviour, but also peaceful demonstrations and broadly defined forms of noise, including “bass noise,” “unusual noise,” or any noise likely to disturb those inside the facility.
Overly broad bylaw infringes on rights: lawyer
Constitutional lawyer Hatim Kheir said, “The proposed bylaw is overly broad and effectively creates protest-free zones, infringing on the fundamental freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly. It is unnecessary, as existing criminal laws already prohibit obstruction of property.”
Ottawa City Council is being urged to reject the bylaw in its current form.
