The City of Ottawa is ensuring Canada Day weekend, running from Wednesday, June 29 to Sunday, July 3, remains safe and respectful for all residents and visitors. This will include enforcement of all by-laws regarding noise, litter, fireworks, and on-street parking and stopping.
Ticketing and towing
The City of Ottawa By-law and Regulatory Services (BLRS) will have Officers out on the streets ensuring all parking regulations are observed by residents and visitors. All vehicles found failing to observe the no-stopping zones will be ticketed and towed. Parking time limits and no parking zones outside the centre core will also be strictly enforced.
Ensuring all other by-laws observed
In addition to parking violations, BLRS Officers will ensure all City of Ottawa by-laws are obeyed by residents and visitors:
- No unnecessary motor-vehicle or other noise, including speakers or shouting
- No unnecessary motor-vehicle idling
- No encumbering a sidewalk or roadway by any means, including setting up tents or other illegal structures
- No public urination and defecation
- No open air fires
- No littering
- Discharging of fireworks – contravening any regulations under Fireworks By-Law.
Tickets will be issued to any individual in violation of any City of Ottawa by-law. Fines for many of these municipal by-law violations have been recently raised to $1,000.
It is important to note fireworks cannot be discharged in public areas and spaces – including streets and parks. They are only permitted for individual use on private property two times per year: Canada Day and Victoria Day, and the day before and after those days. Both City by-law and provincial law strictly prohibit the use and sales of firecrackers (See fireworks regulations PSA).
Traffic impacts
The Ottawa Police Service and the City of Ottawa have created a motor-vehicle control zone in the downtown area, which will be in effect from today, June 29, until Monday, July 4. No motor vehicles involved in any event (rally, protest, demonstration) are permitted inside this zone. However, the roads are not closed. Residential and business through traffic, as well as pedestrians, cyclists and public transit are permitted. Some road closures will take place on July 1. Traffic delays are expected, please ahead. Visit the Canada Day page on ottawa.ca for the latest information.
Traffic updates
Residents can continue to check our online traffic map and the City of Ottawa’s traffic Twitter account for up-to-date information on traffic delays and disruptions.
OC Transpo updates
Canada Day is a busy day for transit. Wherever you are heading, give yourself plenty of time and use OC Transpo’s Travel Planner to plan your trip.
For more information on OC Transpo’s no-charge Canada Day service, visit octranspo.com or call 613-560-5000. You can also connect with OC Transpo through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
City Hall
City Hall and its underground municipal parking facility will be closed to the public from 5 pm on Thursday, June 30 until 6 am on Monday, July 4.
Ottawa is a safe and inclusive city for everyone
While the City of Ottawa respects the fundamental right to protest, the City is responsible for ensuring residents and visitors feel safe in our community. Canada Day is a celebration of our people and values. The City upholds those values: a diversity of minds, perspectives, cultures and lived experiences, and denounces any displays of hate and racism.
Sometimes we see people who disregard these same values, and this can affect everyone differently. If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, please reach out and speak to someone. For mental health services and supports, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/StressfulEvents.
