Please bear with me for this quick and potentially poor written but heart felt rant.

What we're trying to achieve with this movement:

End RBC Ottawa Bluesfest curfew on weekend timeslots (Friday & Saturday). Allow the shows to continue until 12 or 1am.
At the very least, a commitment to a trial period in 2016.

Establish an open dialogue between City officials/event directors and the public to facilitate discussions for future festivals and events, not only Bluesfest.

An official and valid statement from the included parties as to why they believe the curfew should not be extended, and if so, what the point of having a noise by-law exemption is?

The Issue

You work hard for your money right? Some of you put in long hours and work weekends so that you can afford your car, your house and going out with friends. You also work hard so that you can enjoy the little time you do have off for summer vacations or just hanging around. I for one love spending as much time as I can enjoying live music where ever I can find it...which brings me to the problem I have with Ottawa Bluesfest.

I started this petition because ever since I can remember going to this festival, or any outdoor festival in Ottawa for that matter, they all shutdown at 11PM! Why so early..especially on weekends? How often have you found yourself watching your favourite band at an outdoor venue, warm summer breeze blowing on a clear night with a cold beer in your hand, best friends by your side, all captured in a type of euphoric state? I bet most of you at that point are wishing it would last forever, not finish at a predetermined time simply because a few people who are in a position to make that decision, figure that you have had enough fun for one night and that you should go home at 11PM.

Bluesfest Contact

I have contacted Mike Rouleau, the Director of Operations at RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest in hopes of finding out why the festival has to shut down at 11PM. He replied with the following statement;

" It is an internal decision made every year to close the festival at 11pm, based on a variety of issues and circumstances."

He then responded to my next email asking to increase the closing time of Bluesfest by saying that he will bring up the idea for discussion in the future.

Legal Limitations

Yes I understand that according to "Noise By-law No. 2004 - 253" of the Ottawa Noise Bylaw, sound levels from a commercial establishment cannot exceed a level of 45dBA during regular occasions. However the city does permit exemptions to this By-law with regards to special events, specifically for sound reproduction devices used at events like Bluesfest. See the criteria below for such an exemption:

EXEMPTION REQUEST FOR SOUND REPRODUCTION DEVICES USED IN A SPECIAL EVENT

The Chief of By-law Services may grant an exemption for an event subject to the following conditions :

- the event relates to live or recorded music or involves the use of a sound amplifying system or sound reproduction device operated in a reasonable manner in the context of the special event

-the event shall not create noise likely to cause a nuisance or disturb the inhabitants or exceed 65 dBA when measured at the point of reception

-the event shall not exceed eleven (11) calendar days

-the time at which the event is to be terminated shall be agreed to by the affected Ward Councillor or Ward Councillors, the Director of By-law Services and the applicant and the event shall not continue beyond 0100 hours on Friday and Saturday and on Sunday only if the following Monday is a statutory holiday

-an event shall not continue beyond 2300 hours on Sunday through Thursdays

-the affected Ward Councillor or Ward Councillors are in agreement with granting the exemption

 

City Of Ottawa Contact

I also contacted the City of Ottawa to confirm that any venue or event in Ottawa may apply for an exemption to the standard noise curfew. The reply was as follows:

 

The city bylaw only allows until 11 pm without any further approvals.

The events can apply for extensions until a maximum of 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays, but the approval has to be given by both the Councillor of the ward and the Chief of Bylaw Services.

This noise bylaw is for the city of Ottawa only, and each municipality may have different requirements so that may be why some Quebec events go until later.

If you require any further information please let me know.

Thank you

Greg

 

In Conclusion

I could be wrong in making this statement, but I feel the general consensus of people from Ottawa, and the city itself lack enthusiasm and energy. We have a lack of passion for fun and adventure which limits what is available to us. I don't agree with that. I have seen the go-hards and enthusiasts that love being outdoors, surrounded by music and people. I have seen the energetic crowds rocking the night away as a community, with little to no care about anything else happening around them. I have been to several other venues where the fun doesn't have to stop until 12 sometimes 1AM. Why should the people of Ottawa be denied a certain amount of entertainment just because someone else feels its for the best. I want to take this opportunity to stand up and ask for your help in changing the way Ottawa events operate. We all work hard to enjoy whatever fun we can get out of summer and what it has to offer. Will you help me to show the city of Ottawa and event directors that we are a vibrant and lively community, deserving of a few more fantastic hours spent with friends and family. It is time that we make some changes and it starts here and now!