City’s by-law officials ask for tables to be removed from areas in downtown Ottawa

Ottawa by-law officials asked individuals to remove tables being set up in areas near Parliament Hill on June 27. 

The tables were being set up on Metcalfe Street and Wellington Street. 

“There is zero tolerance for the placement of tables or any materials (including tents) that are encumbering sidewalks or roads during the upcoming protests,” the City of Ottawa's By-law Services said in a tweet on June 28. 

No charges were laid as the individuals complied with the request. 

The Use and Care of Roads By-law prohibits roads and sidewalks from being blocked and it is vital that access to these areas is maintained. https://t.co/Hcqlwwhww7

No charges in this case, as the individual complied. (2/3) #OttCity #OttNews pic.twitter.com/snD9VLLbVJ

— Ottawa By-law (@OttawaBylaw) June 28, 2022

With in-person Canada Day celebrations in full swing this year for the first time since 2019, the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) outlined plans for the July 1 festivities in the capital. 

In a media briefing on Monday, June 27, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said any illegal activity in the downtown core during Canada Day celebrations will not be tolerated. 

“Those people who are coming here to disrupt the wonderful celebrations will be dealt with with the full force of the law,” said Mayor Watson. “There won't be any warnings and second chances. If the law is broken, regardless who breaks it, there will be consequences.”

This year, the celebrations will be held at LeBreton Flats Park and Place des festivals Zibi on July 1, rather than the usual location on Parliament Hill. LeBreton Flats will host the daytime ceremony and evening show, while other programming will be held at the Place des festivals Zibi.

The City of Ottawa is organizing a motor vehicle control zone in downtown Ottawa over the Canada Day weekend in anticipation of any vehicle protests in the area. 

A motor vehicle control zone will be in effect from Wednesday, June 29 at 8 a.m. until Monday, July 4 at 6 a.m and stretches from Booth Street in the west, Laurier Avenue to the south, and Sussex Drive and Colonel By Drive in the east. 

Freedom rally events are set to take place in Ottawa in late June through the rest of the summer for what organizers say are to protest remaining COVID-19 pandemic-era restrictions.