Denley: An Ottawa ordinance to limit protest areas is overdue

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Ottawa’s proposal to limit where demonstrations can take place is fair, appropriate and long overdue. Demonstrators have the right to express their opinions publicly, but this should not mean interfering with the lives of people going about their daily business.

Parliament members will be asked on Wednesday approving a staff member’s work An ordinance that would limit demonstrations near places of worship, community centers and other public places, including schools, hospitals and long-term care homes.

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It is regrettable that such restrictions are necessary, but the aim is to prevent demonstrations from turning into conflict. For example, five people were arrested last year after an anti-trans protest near two high schools in Ottawa. The war in the Middle East has also increased the risk of conflict. Last month, an anti-Israel protest was held outside the Soloway Jewish Community Center, adjacent to Hillel Lodge, a long-term care home. There were also anti-vaccine protests at the Ottawa Hospital during the pandemic.

Demonstrators like to choose a background that suits their grievances. They do this either for a better photo op or to scare people, sometimes both. Of course, demonstrators can express their opinions without getting in people’s faces.

Three main arguments were presented against the potential regulation. First, restricting the places where demonstrations will take place, reducing people’s right to freedom of expression and free assembly. Yes, to a smaller extent, but they will still have plenty of alternative venues to sing hymns, carry banners, and deliver their message. In any case, the right to freedom of expression is not absolute. For example, it is limited by hate speech laws.

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Some also point out that the Criminal Code already contains provisions against criminal harassment, threats and incitement to violence. If things get out of control, why not just enforce existing laws? they ask. There are two problems with this. The police were hesitant to do anything that could be seen as restricting freedom of expression. They need clear rules.

Police were hesitant to do anything that could be seen as restricting freedom of expression. They need clear rules.

The fundamental weakness of after-the-fact accusations is that intimidation and even violence had already occurred. Rather than reacting to this, potential city ordinances are trying to reduce the likelihood of problems in the first place by being proactive.

Finally, there is the slippery slope argument, which often arises when the argument against a particular change is weak. What if in the future there were even greater restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, and there was no room to protest? This is unacceptable, but that’s not what the emphasis is on.

Support for freedom of expression is often cause-specific. In 2017, Ontario passed a law creating a protected zone around abortion clinics. People can still protest, but not on the doorstep. strictly restricted anti-abortion speechbut all three major political parties supported it.

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Those in the so-called Freedom Convoy recently were certainly exercising their freedom of expression, but their demonstration was stopped by the police, drawing great applause.

In both cases, the issue was the balance between freedom of expression and the rights of others. Did anti-abortion protesters have the right to prevent women from going to abortion clinics? Did the truckers’ convoy have the right to take over downtown Ottawa?

In both cases the answer was no. The issue now is whether protesters have the right to deny people unimpeded access to public places like schools, churches, mosques, synagogues and community centres. The answer is still no.

People love to defend their rights, but not enough attention is paid to the responsibilities that accompany these rights. Peace, order and good government are Canada’s founding principles. Good government seems beyond our grasp, but we all have a role to play when it comes to peace and order.

Controlling the locations of demonstrations in Ottawa would be a small but welcome step towards striking the necessary balance between the rights of protesters and the rights of everyone else.

Randall Denley He is a journalist and author from Ottawa. His newest mystery novel, Changes in Latitudes, is now available at: randalldenley.com Contact him at [email protected]

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