Ottawa eyes new ‘voluntary notification’ system for protest organizers

The sign outside City Hall in Ottawa (CTV News Ottawa)

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 Police 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.

The report says the city consulted with the Ottawa Police 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 follow 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:

• Allowing food truck vendors to operate “more easily” at special events, block parties and festivals
• Extensions to noise exemptions for festivals if a concert or event has been delayed or paused due to extreme weather or “other factors beyond the control of the operator”
• Exemptions for bar and restaurant owners to offer late-night events having approval of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario without needing an additional licence
• New safety requirements for festivals and events, including a requirement for the Ottawa Public Health free online training program called “Safer Events”
• A minimum age requirement for any volunteers assigned to tasks such as tending to traffic barricades of directing parking. The bylaw recommends individuals doing traffic and parking duties must be at least 16 years old with a valid G1 driver’s licence or equivalent, or be 18 years old.
• Festivals and events having a Code of Conduct for participants