How does Ottawa’s bubble zone bylaw compare to those of other cities?

Counter-protestors opposing a demonstration against so-called "gender ideology," are seen behind a police line near Notre Dame and Nepean High Schools in Ottawa, on Friday, April 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Ottawa’s city council passed a new bylaw that would prohibit protests within 50 metres of schools, places of worship, hospitals and residential care facilities.

Other cities in Canada have instituted similar safe access bylaws, but how does Ottawa’s compare? CTV News Ottawa takes a look.

Which cities have similar bylaws?

Ottawa’s “Safe Access Bylaw” was approved by council on Wednesday and will go into effect on Aug. 1, 2026.

A City of Ottawa report on the bylaw listed five cities that implemented similar bylaws: Brampton, Calgary, Oakville, Toronto and Vaughan.

Calgary was the first of the municipalities to implement its bubble zone, titled the “Safe and Inclusive Access Bylaw,” in March 2023.

Vaughan’s “Protecting Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law” was approved by council in June 2024, while Brampton’s “Protecting Places of Worship By-law from Nuisance Demonstrations” was adopted in November 2024.

Toronto’s “Access to Social Infrastructure” bylaw and Oakville’s “bylaw to protect safe access to places of worship in the Town of Oakville” were both adopted in May 2025.

Both Vaughan and Calgary’s bylaws have faced legal challenges questioning whether they are constitutional.

Where are the bubble zones?

Ottawa’s bylaw would allow for the creation of “safe access zones” around social infrastructure, which the city defines as places of worship, schools, childcare centres, healthcare facilities and residential care facilities. It does not apply to government or diplomatic facilities.

Toronto’s bylaw also applies to social infrastructure, though its definition is narrower in scope than Ottawa, applying to childcare centres, places of worship and schools.

In both Ottawa and Toronto, facility operators must apply to the city to be designated as a vulnerable property. In Ottawa, the application must be renewed yearly.

Vaughan’s bylaw is similar in scope to Ottawa and applies to “vulnerable social infrastructure,” including childcare centres, congregate care facilities, hospitals, schools and places of worship. Unlike in Ottawa, Vaughan’s bylaw is applied to all properties considered “vulnerable social infrastructure.”

In Calgary, it applies to public libraries and other city-operated recreation facilities, including swimming pools, hockey or skating rinks, fitness centres and gyms.

Both Brampton and Oakville’s bylaws apply only to places of worship.

In Calgary, Brampton and Oakville, the access areas are also automatically applied to all applicable locations.

What does Ottawa’s bylaw prohibit?

Ottawa’s bylaw says no person shall “conduct or participate in a demonstration” within a safe access zone. In this context, a demonstration applies to those “occupying public lands for the primary purpose of expressing an opinion.”

People would also be prohibited from blocking or discouraging others from accessing the safe access zone. In addition, Ottawa’s bylaw prohibits people from obstructing those using mobility devices or from interfering with working service animals.

It also bars people from using fireworks or pyrotechnic devices within safe access zones and prohibits noises “likely to disturb the peace and comfort” of people in designated facilities.

Ottawa’s bylaw does not apply to labour union strikes.

What do other cities prohibit?

Both Vaughan and Brampton’s bylaws only apply to “nuisance demonstrations” within bubble zones, which the are defined as protests that would intimidate a reasonable person, causing them to be concerned for their safety or unable to access the designated areas.

Like in Ottawa, Toronto, Oakville and Calgary all prohibit people from discouraging or obstructing access to protected areas.

Both Toronto and Calgary prohibit expressions of objection or disapproval based on race, age, ability, religion, gender, identity, status or orientation.

Oakville’s bylaw also includes sections prohibiting intimidation, as well as repeatedly approaching or following those accessing designated facilities.

Brampton, Vaughan, Toronto, and Oakville’s bylaws say they do not apply to peaceful protests or demonstrations, or for activities related to labour union strikes.

How big are the bubbles?

Ottawa’s bubble zone would extend in a 50-metre radius from the access points of vulnerable infrastructure. In Toronto and Oakville, the 50-metre zone extends from the property line rather than access points.

Both Brampton and Vaughan’s bubbles extend 100 metres from the property line, while Calgary’s extends 100 metres from entrances.

When are bubbles in effect?

Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Oakville’s bylaws state that the bubble zones are in effect from one hour before opening and one after closing.

Vaughan and Brampton do not have time restrictions.

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