Ottawa cancels noise tickets for pro-Palestinian demonstrators
Ottawa cancelled 17 tickets, worth $400 each, issued to pro-Palestinian demonstrators in late 2023 and early 2024.
Ottawa cancelled 17 tickets, worth $400 each, issued to pro-Palestinian demonstrators in late 2023 and early 2024. The city cited “public interest” and “limited court resources” for the decision, a stark contrast to their handling of the Freedom Convoy.
The tickets, issued under the municipal Noise By-law, stemmed from megaphones and loudspeakers used during rallies in support of Gaza.
“The City prosecutor withdrew 17 tickets today under the Noise By-law, each having a set fine of $400,” said interim city solicitor Stuart Huxley in a statement issued to True North.
“Based on a review of the specific circumstances, the prosecution discontinued proceedings for reasons of public interest and to preserve limited court resources.”
The Palestinian Youth Movement, one of the organizations involved, said on social media it had filed legal arguments before the tickets were dropped, describing the move as a “victory.”
The decision has renewed debate over how the city enforces bylaws across different protest movements, particularly in light of the response to the 2022 Freedom Convoy.
According to the city, By-law and Regulatory Services issued just two noise-related charges during the convoy demonstrations, which took place between Jan. 28 and Feb. 22, 2022.
Both charges resulted in convictions and fines issued in absentia.
“Enforcement during the convoy was a joint effort between By-law and Regulatory Services and the Ottawa Police Service,” Jake Gravelle, associate director of By-law and Regulatory Services told Ture North.
During the convoy, horn-blaring and loud disruptions led to a court injunction, banning persistent vehicle noise in downtown Ottawa after residential complaints.
Despite recent ticket withdrawals, the City of Ottawa says its Noise By-law remains in force. The regulation outlines conditions for authorized sound amplification and prohibits any noise “likely to disturb the residents of the city.”
Ottawa has become Washington DC, a cesspool, at one time it was clean and tidy as it should be for our capital, but over the last 10 years it’s national beauty has been totally run by the sewer rats associated with the Liebreal governments at all levels! Pierre will have to create our own ICE, equipped with sewer trucks to eradicate the smell that Liebreal’s have entrenched!!
And there you have it; one side gets prosecuted and the other gets let off. Welcome to Canada!