Enforcement of Court Order in Downtown Core

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, February 8, 2022        6:34pm 

(Ottawa) – On February 7, 2022, Justice McLean of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted a temporary injunction restraining any person, who has notice of the court order, from using air horns or train horns, other than those on a motor vehicle of a municipal fire department.

This order applies to the downtown core in the City of Ottawa which is defined as any streets north of Highway 417 (Queensway). The injunction has been granted for a period of 10 days (i.e. until end of day February 17, 2022) and will be enforced by the Ottawa Police Service and its partners effective immediately.

If a person, with reasonable notice is believed to be

1. using air horns or train horns, other than those on a motor vehicle of a municipal fire department; and
2. is in the vicinity of downtown Ottawa: this geographical location includes the city’s downtown, and specifically, any streets north of Highway 417 (Queensway), for a period of 10 days.

Then they may be arrested for contravening the Court Order or they may be arrested and/or charged under Section 127 of the Criminal Code. 

If a person is arrested for contravening the Court Order and the person indicates, in writing, that they will obey and abide by the Court Order, they may be released.

If a person is arrested for contravening the Court Order and they refuse to indicate in writing that they will obey and abide by the Court Order, they may be taken to the Superior Court for civil contempt proceedings and criminal contempt prosecutions. Penalties include up to two years imprisonment and/or another form of punishment as deemed appropriate at time of conviction. 

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