Protecting Rights — All of Them, For Everyone
At first glance, bubble zones may seem like a restriction on free speech. After all, they create boundaries around where certain types of protest or expressive activity can occur. But when we look closer — legally, ethically, and practically — bubble zone bylaws actually serve to protect the freedoms we hold most dear, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to peaceful assembly.
These bylaws are not about suppressing ideas. They are about ensuring that rights are exercised in ways that don’t violate the rights of others — especially the rights of vulnerable individuals to access essential spaces and services free from fear, harassment, or intimidation.
The Charter: A Balancing Act
Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees all people the right to:
- Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression
- Freedom of peaceful assembly
- Freedom of religion
But it also recognizes that these rights are not absolute. Section 1 of the Charter allows for “reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.” This is what allows us to pass laws that:
- Prevent hate speech
- Restrict protests outside courtrooms and schools
- Prohibit harassment in the workplace
- And yes, create bubble zones around sensitive infrastructure
A bubble zone doesn’t say “you can’t protest.” It says, “you can protest — just not in a way that targets and harms others.”
Protecting Freedom of Religion
Bubble zones have also been misunderstood as a threat to religious freedom, especially in cases where protests are motivated by deeply held beliefs. But the Canadian courts have consistently ruled that freedom of religion does not include the right to impose those beliefs on others.
For example, just as a person has the right to believe abortion is wrong, another person has the equal right to access abortion services without intimidation. Bubble zones ensure both people retain their rights — by protecting one from targeted interference, and allowing the other to express their beliefs elsewhere.
Similarly, religious communities must be free to gather, worship, and celebrate without being targeted by protests that challenge their identity, culture, or safety. Bubble zones ensure that religious expression is not disrupted or made dangerous by opposition.
When Speech Becomes Coercion
The line between speech and coercion is critical. Bubble zone bylaws focus on where and how expression takes place — not what is being expressed. They don’t police thought, speech, or belief. They simply say: you cannot use those rights to block someone’s access to a temple, hospital, school, or cultural center.
This principle is not new or radical. Courts have upheld similar limits in cases where speech became disruptive, threatening, or harmful in sensitive contexts. It’s the same logic that protects people from being shouted at in a courtroom or threatened on their way to work.
Bubble Zones Preserve the Public Square
The truth is, bubble zone bylaws actually protect free speech by keeping the public square civil and accessible. Without them, louder, more aggressive voices can dominate spaces — silencing the vulnerable through fear, escalation, or confrontation.
Bubble zones ensure that protest remains a tool of democratic engagement, not a weapon of intimidation. And that means everyone, regardless of belief, faith, or identity, can participate in public life safely and without fear.
✅ Take Action: Protect All Freedoms, Not Just Some
Supporting bubble zones doesn’t mean choosing between freedom of speech and public safety. It means choosing both.
Write your Mayor, city councillors and Members of Provincial Parliament and Visit BubbleZones.ca to learn how these laws work in harmony with the Charter, explore legal precedents, and take action in support of a new standard for community safety and mutual respect.
We don’t need to sacrifice our values to protect our communities — we just need smart, balanced policies that uphold all our rights.
