Should Ottawa ban protests outside of schools?

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Good morning! 

Facebook reminded me that two years ago we had snow on the ground already. We are now over two weeks into November and there are still no signs of the white stuff. Personally, I’m thankful. 

It might not feel like the holiday season but there are plenty of festive activities already occurring. I had the chance to check out both the Ottawa and Barrhaven Santa Claus parades this weekend. It was so great to see so many people out enjoying the sun and November warmth. I remember attending as a kid and having to be bundled up in multiple layers. 

For the past few weeks, Ottawa city council has been debating whether or not to create a “bubble bylaw” which would prohibit demonstrations in certain settings, including schools. Reaction has been mixed with some worried about rights and others over safety. A recent protest planned for outside an Ottawa school, which has been moved due to friction, has been causing quite a stir on social media. This morning we are sharing the different views on the issue.

Let’s get to the news of the day!

— Charlie Senack, managing editor 

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X: @Charlie_Senack

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WEATHER

Monday: 10 🌡️ 3 | ☁️

Tuesday: 9 🌡️ 1 | 🌤️

Wednesday: 7 🌡️4 | 🌤️

CITY

Sir Robert Borden High School is facing pressure for playing Arabic song at Remembrance Day ceremony

Changed plans: A group of Pro-Palestinian demonstrators were set to protest outsode of Sir Robert Borden High School on Monday, but have moved their cause to outside of Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod’s Greenbank Road constituency office. 

It’s renewed calls over whether protests should be allowed to happen outside of places of learning where young students are present. City council is already considering a “bubble bylaw” which would prohibit the events from happening in certain settings. 

What happened: During a Remembrance Day ceremony at the school on Nov. 11, an Arabic song supporting Palestine was played. The piece of music titled Haza Salam translates to “this is peace” in English and became a song used to oppose the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

In a statement, SRB principal Aaron Hobbs wrote he apologized for the “significant distress to some members of our school community”, and the Ottawa Carleton District School Board said an investigation into the incident was being taken. 

• “Our intention during the ceremony was to foster a message of peace and remembrance, reflecting on the importance of unity and reconciliation," wrote Hobbs. "However, we recognize that the song chosen — while intended to highlight themes of peace — also inadvertently caused offence and discomfort to some students, and for that, we regret our choice."

That statement was not enough for Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod, who said she shared her anger and disappointment with OCDSB executive director Pino Buffone. The Jewish Federation of Ottawa shared a similar statement and spoke to the integrity of Nov. 11 and the respect it deserves. 

• “Remembrance Day is a solemn time to pay tribute to Canadian veterans. It is a day to pause, reflect and honour our Canadian heritage and the sacrifices made to uphold our values and freedom,” the Federation wrote. “Including a song associated with one side of an ongoing foreign conflict — especially one currently contributing to division and tension in our communities — reflects poor judgment for a public-school setting.”

MacLeod said the song choice broke away from Canadian Legion protocols. It was also the only choice of music played. Traditional pieces such as The Last Post and Reveille were not used. 

Not everyone agrees: On X the National Council of Canadian Muslims said they were “disturbed but not shocked” by MacLeods comments. 

• “It is entirely preposterous to suggest that speaking a language like Arabic is tantamount to hate,” the organization wrote. ”This is the same province where, only a few years ago, a family was run over in London for looking different.”

On social media, people were quick to share that they felt only traditional music should be played at Remembrance Day events. But some held a different view. In the Ottawa Citizen, Aisha Shezari wrote that many students who have escaped war-torn countries might view the day in a different light. 

• “If we cannot find ways to help students understand a broader message of honouring the dead — everyone’s dead — if we can’t help teach students about the freedoms we enjoy because some have sacrificed their lives to provide those freedoms, what common ground is there?” asked Shezari. 

A group of people planned to protest outside Sir Robert Borden High School on Monday afternoon, and MacLeod was planning a counter rally, “Walk for Canadian Rights and Values in our Schools.” But, the heated debate led the Middle Eastern demonstrators to decide to picket outside of MacLeod’s office instead. 

• “Law enforcement has recommended I close my office so I will in the afternoon to protect my constituency staff. Constituents who need assistance are asked to call the office or email.  We will be monitoring offsite,” MacLeod wrote on Twitter. 

What is the bubble bylaw?

MacLeod and a handful of councillors say no. 

On Oct. 3, city council passed a motion to study the possibility of a “bubble bylaw” which would prohibit demonstrations outside of settings such as schools and hospitals amid an increase in hate crimes. Only three elected officials voted against it: Shawn Menard, Jessica Bradley and Sean Devine.

Other cities have already adopted this: A similar bubble bylaw in the city of Vaughn has fines of up to $10,000. It restricts demonstrations within 100 metres or "a reasonable distance" from a religious institution, school, childcare centre, hospital or congregate care facility. 

• Both the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and the National Council of Canadian Muslims support this, reported CTV. 

Police already have enough tools: Menard, who voted against the motion, said police have already been told to stop hate or violence from occurring. He said the measure would be both “expensive” and “ineffective.”

• “No government, let alone municipal government, should want to put itself in a position to be the arbiter of which protests are acceptable, where and which are not. If there are acts of protests or civil disobedience we don't agree with, there are better ways to deal with them and confront them than considering how the state can criminalize them and fine them,” said Menard. 

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has also shared concerns. 

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OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

🎤 $22,000: The amount of money an Ottawa family is out after being scammed over Taylor Swift tickets. [CTV]

🚗 159 km/h: The speed at which an Ottawa Senators fan was caught going while trying to catch a game. [Ottawa Citizen]

🏘️ $69 million: The amount of money Minto sold one of its apartment complexes for. [Ottawa Business Journal]

💵 $104,400: The amount of money Ottawa’s Trips for Kids has received in grants. [Stittsville Central]

JOBS

1. Customer service agent at City of Ottawa 

2. Adult crossing guard at Ottawa Safety Council 

3. Associate at Royal Bank of Canada 

4. Printing specialist at Calian Group 

5. Part-time medical clinic receptionist at Ottawa Inner City Health

Local jobs are selected by the Lookout team and are not paid ads, unless specifically noted.

THE AGENDA

🎅🏼 It was a busy weekend of activities in Ottawa, with the annual Help Santa Toy Parade being one of the biggest attractions. Thousands lined the streets on a sunny Saturday to catch a glimpse of the man in red. [CTV]

🛌 A demonstration was held at the Eagleson Park and Ride in Kanata Saturday afternoon to protest a proposed sprung structure for the site. A few hundred community members said they were concerned over the lack of public consultation. [CTV]

🛌 On Sunday, a counterprotest was held at Ben Franklin Place in Nepean to show support and solidarity for newcomers in Ottawa. Over half of city council was in attendance including Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. Down the street, another protest was held outside the Nepean Sportsplex, where a few hundred people, including Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod, called for a sprung structure to be built elsewhere. The biggest concern is with the loss of a football field used by the Myers Riders Football team. Knoxdale-Merivale Coun. Sean Devine said they are exploring building the structure on the soccer field instead. [Ottawa Citizen]

🍃 Buckthorn was removed from Atlantis Woods in Westboro after community pressure, but the work was almost not done due to a lack of budget. The National Capital Commission said they will team up with the Rideau Valley Conservation Area in the spring to plant native species in an effort to restore the area. [CBC]

🚗 Five people have been seriously injured after an early Sunday morning collision in Lowertown. Four adult victims were taken to a trauma centre and a young adult was taken to the trauma centre at CHEO. Investigators would like to speak with anyone who witnessed the crash. [Ottawa Citizen]

🚔 The Special Investigations Unit is investigating a police-involved shooting in Orleans. The incident took place after a man allegedly injured multiple people with a weapon and damaged vehicles near the area of St. Joseph Boulevard and Place d'Orléans Drive. Few details are known at this time, but four people were injured and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. [CTV]

👮🏼‍♀️ An OC Transpo bus driver has been charged with careless driving after a three-vehicle crash occurred on the Queensway. There were no major injuries but the driver will be fined $490 and lose six demerit points. [Ottawa Citizen]

👮🏼‍♀️ Ottawa Police are looking for two suspects in relation to Bank Street carjackings. In some of the cases, victims faced injuries while trying to flee. Both suspects are believed to be Middle Eastern men between the ages of 18 and 20. [Ottawa Citizen]

EVENT GUIDE

European Union Film Festival | Ottawa Art Gallery | Now until Nov. 30 | Movies from all across the European Union | Tickets $15

Beowulf in Afghanistan: In a new play by Ottawa's Laurie Fyffe a Canadian soldier navigates the clash of conflict. November 12-24 at GCTC. [Sponsored]

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back - In Concert | TD Place | Nov. 23, 7 pm | See the movie but with a live orchestral accompaniment | Tickets $114

Ukrainian Christmas Market | Ukrainian Banquet and Convention Hall, 1000 Byron Ave | Nov 23, 10:00 am | Enjoy Ukrainian food, arts, crafts, and festive gifts | Learn more

Parkdale Holiday Market | 366 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 1G8 | Nov. 23, 12:00 PM | Shop, sip mulled wine, enjoy carolers, and discover unique gifts from 30+ vendors | Learn more

Messiah by Handel | First Baptist Church, 140 Laurier Avenue West | Nov 24, 2:30 pm | OperOttawa presents Handel's beloved oratorio with a full chorus and orchestra | Tickets $50

Old-Fashioned Christmas at Goulbourn Museum | 2064 Huntley Road | Nov. 24, 10:00 am | Meet Santa, create crafts, roast marshmallows and more | Learn more

Mixed Media: Butterfly Goldfish | Wallack's Art Supplies and Framing, 305 Bank Street | Nov 24, 12:00 pm | Create vibrant, textured butterfly goldfish art in this hands-on mixed media workshop | Tickets $50

IRPP Fall Lecture: Analysis of the U.S. Presidential Election | National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa | Nov 25, 5:00 pm | Keynote lecture by Hahrie Han on the US political election | Tickets $250

C*4 Wrestling presents "THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN" | Preston Event Centre, 523 Saint Anthony Street, Ottawa | Nov 29, 7:30 pm | 17th anniversary with the 4th Annual T.A.G. Memorial Tournament | Tickets $30

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Yangtze Restaurant has officially closed after more than 40 years in business. [CTV]

• An Ottawa moving company is helping people escape abusive relationships. [All Things Home]

• Canada's National Ballet School is holding auditions for young dancers in Ottawa. [CTV]

• A new exhibition is taking place at the Canadian Museum of History Sharon’s stories of peacekeeping in Cyprus  [Apt613]

• A local author’s latest book sets Amberwood Garden as its backdrop. [Stittsville Central]

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

A Halloween skeleton on Glebe Avenue is excited about Taylor Swift’s era’s tour concerts happening in Toronto.

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