A spirited debate wasn’t enough to tilt the scales against the approval of Ottawa’s controversial Bubble Bylaw, as 20 voices on City Council backed it up. Councillor Devine, Councillor Bradley, and Councillor Menard were among the opposed. Meantime, Councillor Troster initially approved the idea, but later changed her mind. The brand-new Safe Access Bylaw would establish ‘safe access zones’ to prohibit demonstrations within 50 metres of any access point at the designated facility, with an established timeline also in place to prohibit protests. The ‘bubble zone’ would be established around places of worship, schools, childcare facilities, healthcare facilities, and residential care facilities. As for demonstrations and rallies related to labour strike movements, they will be exempted from this bylaw. Does this draw a balanced line to preserve democracy? Andrew Pinsent digs deeper with Anaïs Bussières McNicoll, the Director of the Fundamental Freedoms Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

<p>A spirited debate wasn&rsquo;t enough to tilt the scales against the approval of Ottawa&rsquo;s controversial Bubble Bylaw, as 20 voices on City Council backed it up. Councillor Devine, Councillor Bradley, and Councillor Menard were among the opposed. Meantime, Councillor Troster initially approved the idea, but later changed her mind. The brand-new Safe Access Bylaw would establish &lsquo;safe access zones&rsquo; to prohibit demonstrations within 50 metres of any access point at the designated facility, with an established timeline also in place to prohibit protests. The &lsquo;bubble zone&rsquo; would be established around places of worship, schools, childcare facilities, healthcare facilities, and residential care facilities. As for demonstrations and rallies related to labour strike movements, they will be exempted from this bylaw. Does this draw a balanced line to preserve democracy? Andrew Pinsent digs deeper with Ana&iuml;s Bussi&egrave;res McNicoll, the Director of the Fundamental Freedoms Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.</p>