The Proof Is in the Policy
Bubble zone bylaws are not theoretical. They’re not speculative. They’re not experimental.
They are real, tested, and effective tools that have already been implemented in Canada to protect vulnerable people and essential infrastructure from targeted harassment — while upholding constitutional rights.
Across the country, from abortion clinics to vaccine distribution sites, and most recently outside religious and cultural institutions, bubble zones have proven to reduce conflict, prevent violence, and support the peaceful co-existence of communities with diverse perspectives.
Let’s explore where — and how — they’ve worked.
Ontario’s Safe Access to Abortion Services Act (2017)
One of the most well-known and legally robust bubble zones in Canada is the Safe Access to Abortion Services Act, passed in Ontario in 2017. The law prohibits protests and certain forms of communication within a 50–150 metre zone around:
- Abortion clinics
- Health care providers’ homes
- Hospitals and pharmacies that provide abortion services
The law was a direct response to years of targeted harassment outside clinics, including filming patients, shouting slurs, and physically blocking access.
The Result?
- Near-total elimination of protest activity in zones where the law is in effect
- No legal overturning of the act to date — it continues to stand on solid Charter grounds
- Greater safety for patients and health workers, many of whom had previously endured emotional distress and threats
British Columbia’s Access to Abortion Services Act (1995)
British Columbia pioneered the use of access zones even earlier. Its Access to Abortion Services Act was passed in 1995 and created no-protest zones around clinics, doctors’ offices, and staff homes.
It withstood multiple court challenges, including R. v. Spratt (2008), in which the Court of Appeal ruled that the law struck a fair and necessary balance between freedom of expression and the rights of others.
The Legacy?
- Over two decades of consistent enforcement
- Few repeat incidents of protest-related harassment
- A legal template that has influenced similar laws elsewhere in Canada
Vaccine Clinic Protections During COVID-19
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, several provinces — including Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta — enacted or reinforced legal tools to protect vaccine clinics and health workers from protest disruptions.
While not always titled “bubble zones,” these rules functioned similarly:
- Police could remove individuals impeding access
- Protesters were restricted from occupying sidewalks and entryways
- Zones of control were established near mobile and permanent clinics
The Impact?
- Prevented delays in service delivery
- Protected health workers and patients from confrontation
- Allowed municipalities to maintain essential public health services without widespread disruption
These temporary measures demonstrated the scalability and utility of bubble zone-style protections even outside their traditional domains.
Municipal Precedents: Vaughan, 2025
In March 2025, the city of Vaughan, Ontario, became the latest jurisdiction to demonstrate the power and purpose of localized bubble zones. After a surge in targeted, recurring nuisance protests outside religious institutions, local authorities coordinated a rapid response supported by existing city bylaws — effectively creating a buffer that prevented further escalation.
The community, including residents from diverse backgrounds and beliefs, reported a marked improvement in safety, peace of mind, and community solidarity.
Bubble Zones Are a Canadian Solution
From coast to coast, Canada has already implemented bubble zone protections successfully. What’s needed now is a more consistent application of this proven tool to other forms of vulnerable infrastructure:
- Religious institutions
- Community centers
- Schools
- Cultural spaces
- Health clinics
- Municipal buildings
By building on legal precedent, we can protect more Canadians from targeted intimidation without compromising anyone’s rights.
✅ Take Action: Build on Proven Success
The road has already been paved. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel — we need to act on what we know works.
Write your Mayor, City Councillors and Members of Provincial Parliament and Visit BubbleZones.ca to learn more about the legal precedent for bubble zones, review case studies, and download sample bylaw language to share with your local representatives.
Together, we can create safer, freer, and more inclusive public spaces — rooted in respect and built on proven Canadian values.
