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New bylaw could limit demonstrations in certain settings

City council is looking to pass a bylaw that would prohibit protests from being held in vulnerable settings. Plus, new Ontario legislation will create red tape for building bike lanes.

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Good morning! 

The sun is shining again and I’m soaking it in before the eventual return of winter. I’m sure most of you would want to punch me for saying such a thing, but Environment Canada has just released some new projections saying we should see more traditional weather this year. I’m still holding out hope they are wrong. Apologies in advance to the skiers, snowshoers, and skaters. It’s not you, it’s me. 

New bylaws could be coming to Ottawa which would prohibit demonstrations from being held in certain settings. We have the details on why it’s being proposed to put a stop to hate. 

I have a confession to make: I’ve never rode a bike before (unless with training wheels as a kid counts), but many people in Ottawa do and that is evident by the number of people who commute on our bike lanes and multi-use pathways. Now Ontario legislation will create red tape to make it harder. We cover the reaction from the mayor and an Ottawa councillor. 

Happy reading and have a great weekend! 

— Charlie Senack, [email protected].

PS - If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign up for free.

WEATHER

Friday: 18 🌡️ 2 | ☀️

Saturday: 20 🌡️ 6 | ☀️

Sunday: 21 🌡️ 9 | 🌤️

Monday: 22 🌡️ 8 | ☀️

CITY HALL

New bylaw could limit demonstrations in certain settings

Demonstrators at a anti-gay and anti-trans demonstration outside Nepean High School in July 2023. Photo by Charlie Senack.

The issue: New bubble zones could be coming to Ottawa which would limit demonstrations in certain settings such as around schools, hospitals, or places of worship, but it’s drawing some controversy. 

The proposed “vulnerable social infrastructure bylaw" brought forward by Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe with the help of Kanata Coun. Allan Hubley and Barrhaven West Coun. David Hill, is aimed at tackling rising hate crimes. 

  • “No one should feel threatened or intimidated when attending their place of worship, school, community centre, or any other gathering space. Our mosques, churches, synagogues, and other institutions play a crucial role in supporting some of our most vulnerable community members, including seniors and children," wrote Sutcliffe on the platform X. 

In an interview with the Ottawa Lookout, Coun. Hill said the goal of the bubble zones is not to silence anyone, yet ensure any act of demonstration remains peaceful and calm. 

  • “The goal here is to simply find a way we can protect these Charter rights for people to come together, speak freely, worship freely, but to do so in a way that also protects vulnerable communities,” he said. “There is no doubt in my mind there will be somee challenge here and that’s ok. Staff are going to cross work this with police and legal to see how it can happen. This is not looking to deny anyone’s ability to assemble peacefully. But we need to properly assess that because we cannot allow for something that would infringe on free speech.” 

Ending hate: In recent years, anti-gay and anti-trans demonstrations have been held near schools, including one outside of Nepean High School and Broadview Public School in June 2023. The “gender ideology protest”, which fought against puberty blockers being used in children, was attended by about 150 demonstrators, some who stomped on pride flags. A counterprotest which promoted love and acceptance was attended by 450 people. Five individuals were arrested, but no charges were laid, reported the Kitchissippi Times

Since the Middle Eastern conflict arose on Oct. 7, 2023, demonstrations have been held in the Capital almost every weekend. Most have been peaceful, including on the front lawn of Parliament Hill. But the Jewish Federation of Ottawa said residents of Hillel Lodge were left feeling unsafe after a protest outside the Jewish Centre next door in early October. Police told residents not to leave, and chants telling the Jews to go back to Europe were heard, wrote the National Post.   

  • By the numbers: Rates of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and homophobia have been on the rise. Ottawa Police have reported a 19 per cent spike in the city. 

Following other municipalities: The motion bylaw is similar to a measure passed in Vaughn, Ont. earlier this year, which prohibits any kind of demonstration within 100 metres of a religious institution, school, childcare centre, hospital, or care facility. The bylaw considered this a “reasonable distance.” 

Such precautions are not new and are commonly in place to protect those attending abortion clinics. The Ontario government passed the Safe Access to Abortion Services Act in 2017, with similar laws in British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, reported CTV

Next steps: The motion will be debated at an Oct. 30 council meeting. Findings from city staff will be presented as part of a broad review of special events bylaws in January and a new bylaw could come into effect soon after.

OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

☕️ $38,000: The amount of money ByWard Market business Oz Kafe owes its landlord, the National Capital Commission. After multiple attempts to find a solution, its lease was terminated this week. [CTV]

🏥 72%: The projected increase of Ontarians dealing with chronic illness by 2040. Officials say the system can’t handle it. [CBC]

🏠 10%: The rate of housing starts in Ottawa is down this year. [CTV]

💨 70: The number of vape shops in Ottawa. New rules could make them need to pay for a license in a bid to crack down on shops which sell to minors. [CBC]

👨‍💼 300: The number of employees no longer with the Canadian Revenue Agency after they improperly received CERB payments. [CBC]

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CITY HALL

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says he won’t push back against new bike lane rule

Bike lanes along Heron Road. Photo by Charlie Senack.

The issue: If Ottawa wants to move forward with building more bike lanes, they will now need to do so with approval from the provincial government. New legislation slated to be tabled by the Doug Ford-led Progressive Conservatives would restrict the removal of vehicular traffic lanes in favour of bike lanes in Ontario municipalities.

  • “Bike lanes are a vital part of every city, offering residents a safe and reliable way to move around. What cities should not be doing, however, is taking away lanes of traffic on our most congested roads,” said Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, according to CityNews

It doesn’t mean bike lanes couldn’t be built, but the province says municipalities would need to prove they will “not have a negative impact on vehicle traffic.”

The change in policy is not being well received by Ottawa city councillors, who are worried about the red tape it will cause. In an Ottawa Citizen opinion piece, Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper said he doesn't buy the governornments reasoning that it’s for safety. 

By the numbers: During a recent traffic count at the corner of Bay Street and Laurier Avenue, on a Wednesday morning in September, Leiper said 42 per cent of the 826 “vehicles” counted were bikes.

  • “Traffic flow would have been much more challenging if those cyclists had driven their cars instead. Segregation between cyclists, pedestrians and motor vehicles gave everyone their own space to efficiently share the right-of-way for smooth traffic flow,” wrote Leiper.  

The avid cyclist also compared traffic hurdles at places like Merivale Road or Parkdale Avenue which have no bike lanes. 

Why does Ford hate bikes? The Premier is blaming gridlock on Toronto Streets — such as Bloor Street — on bike lanes. The Etobicoke resident said it’s leading to difficulties for first responders, which is actually not true. 

He's now going as far as to say that some will be removed or replaced “because they are bringing traffic to a standstill.” Politicians in that area wholeheartedly disagree and say the new measures are “an overreach of power,” reported the Ottawa Citizen.  

Keep sweet: Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said he won’t push back against the new rules, perhaps because he needs to stay on the province's good side for hopeful transit funding. He said it’s clear Ottawa residents are passionate about bike infrastructure while also referencing “motorists who see increasing traffic,” reported the CBC

  • “I think we'll continue with our plans. And if there's a new step in the process where we need to go to the provincial government, then that's what we'll do," he said. 

Sutcliffe said he remains committed to seeing bike lanes built regardless of the new red tape. 

A successful pilot: Bike lanes first came to the Capital in 2013 after a two-year pilot project on Laurier Avenue West. Between Ottawa and Gatineau, there are 700 kilometres of dedicated bike lanes and pathways in the National Capital Region. They would not see any changes due to the new rules. 

THE AGENDA

🏈 Canadian Football Hall of Famer and former Ottawa Rough Rider Whit Tucker has died at the age of 83. The native of Windsor who moved to the Nation’s Capital still holds the CFL record for career yards per catch at 22.4. [CTV]

☃️ Ottawa is preparing for a weak La Niña this year, which means we should see a more average winter. It brings an “appearance of cooler than normal weather in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean”, says Environment Canada, and occurs due to increases in the strength of normal patterns of trade wind circulation. [CTV]

🚔 A 24-year-old Ottawa man who was found guilty in two killings has died in prison. Donald Musselman was convicted in the 2019 ByWard Market shooting of musician Markland Campbell and the 2021 jailhouse beating of fellow inmate Zakaria Sheek-Hussein, who died from his injuries. How the killer died is unknown. [Ottawa Citizen]

🎤 Former Somerset Councilor Catherine McKenney is seeking the provincial NDP nomination in Ottawa Centre. McKenney ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2022 and said they want to build more schools, better the hospital system, build more affordable housing, and make the province more sustainable. Joel Harden is the current NDP MPP in Ottawa Centre. He’s now running to be the riding's federal NDP candidate. [CBC]

🧑🏻‍⚕️ Many Ottawa doctors say they have been burdened with an uptick of federal office workers requesting medical notes after the mandatory return to in-person work three days a week. Doctors say it’s a waste of their time. [CBC]

🛀 It’s a story you probably never heard before. Ottawa Police have charged a man who was caught showering in the wrong house. The perpetrator, who has not been identified, allegedly entered the housing, thinking it was someone else who he knew. Police are using it as a reminder to lock your doors. [Ottawa Citizen]

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Stittsville Haunted Heritage Tours | 1549 Main Street South, Stittsville | Oct. 17-18 | Combine a riveting historical tour on the quaint and eerie town of Stittsville with a haunted twist to get this annual heritage tour. Tickets are $22

Ottawa New Music Festival | Alma Duncan Salon, Ottawa Art Gallery | 10 Daly Ave | Oct. 17-18 | On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, ONMC's Artistic Directors SHHH!! Ensemble is joined by Ottawa-based violinist Erica Miller in the world premiere of Frank Horvat's "Almost Homeless" project. Tickets start at $20

Little Bones | Rideau Carleton Casino, 4837 Albion Rd | Oct. 19 | Experience the magic of the Tragically Hip when Little Bones, one of Canada's longest-running Hip tributes. | Tickets are $25

'Double O Sound' The music of James Bond | National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St | Oct. 19 | The ultimate tribute to the music of the James Bond movie empire featuring Rebecca Noelle & Michael Hanna Sr, backed up by an incredible 18 piece orchestra | Tickets start at $63.50.

Crackup Comedy Festival | At various locations | Until Oct. 19 |  Comedy festival featuring top comedic talent with events in Ottawa, Cornwall, Pembroke and Smiths Falls | Ticket prices vary

ArohaFest | National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St | Until Oct. 19 | The only fully bilingual festival celebrating the arts of India to be held in Canada will feature dance, music, visual arts, yoga and Bollywood! | Free.

Ottawa Ski, Snowboard, & Travel Show | EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Dr | Oct. 19-20 | Over 10,000 square feet of retail space featuring incredible deals from Kunstadt Sports, Trailhead Paddleshack, Top of the World and more! This is a used-equipment swap with lots of used (but not abused!) gear to choose from | Free.

Fall Fun on the Farm | The Log Farm, 670 Cedarview Rd | Until Oct. 20 | Explore the family farm from the 1860s.  There is a kids theme play barn.  There are all kinds of animals around the farm to see and feed | Prices vary.

Cosmic Northside - Afrofuturistic Canadian Art Conference | National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Dr | Until Oct. 20 | The bilingual event, Cosmic Northside - Afrofuturistic Canadian Art Conference (ACAC), will honour the legacy of Afrofuturism in Canada with engaging presentations, live music, mixed reality exhibitions and interactive activities that explore the intersections of artificial intelligence (AI), Sci-Fi fantasy, and Pan-Africanism | Tickets start at $10.

The Original Navan Market | 1279 Colonial Rd | Nov. 20 | Come out and support local vendors for the Original Navan Market. Produce, breads, cheese, honey, jams, jellies, wineries/distilleries, jewelers, soapers, crafters and so much more | Free.

EXCLUSIVE

OC Transpo is set to take its biggest route overhaul in decades, but nobody knows

As the LRT Trillium line gets set to ride the rails this fall, it will mark the beginning of OC Transpo’s largest route overhaul in history. The addition of 12 stations from Bayview to Limebank Road in Riverside South will mean connections need to change in order to bring buses to the train stations. 

While this is being branded as a big win for the city, it also comes as a cost: a reduction in service. The shakeup will result in about $10 million in savings, a step that is needed at a time when the transit organization is facing a $120 million deficit. There will be about 75,000 fewer hours of service too, which OC Transpo says won’t be missed due to more reliable service. The bizarre statement essentially says they will do more with less. Because OC Transpo will now work within its means, the hope is there will be fewer cancelled trips, which will bring more predictability. 

At transit commission meetings, commuters shared fears over what the longer routes will mean for getting stuck in traffic congestion. There were concerns over longer walks to get to a transit station, too. 

FOOD

🧇 Sharpfle Waffle is not just a place to grab coffee, they have an exciting new inspiring vegetarian menu. [Members-only]

🍷 Capital Eats readers love a good glass of vino. This Sauvignon Blanc will have you loving wine from Uruguay. [Members-only]

🍰 Have a sweet tooth? This new spot should be on any cannoli lover's list of places to visit.

🍝 Absinthe is a veteran kitchen that still delivers. The team here is putting out food that you have to try to believe.

🇹🇭 Craving Thai food? This Gatineau spot is as authentic as you can get.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
COMMUNITY PHOTO

Karen Vallevand posted this photo to X of the changing leaves at Hartwell Locks along the Rideau Canal.

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