Anti-masking protest forces changes in York Street Farmers’ Market

Ottawa Markets entered 2021 with a vision to reenergize the ByWard Market by offering renewed markets that will increase traffic, provide a chance for Ottawans to learn about locally sourced products, and experience a taste of Canada in one location. While Ottawa Markets' season has encountered unprecedented hurdles, our team has strived to create a safe, inclusive, and positive market experience for all.

This year, one of the significant challenges has been remodelling our markets to be the safest version of themselves amid Provincial Lockdowns, Stay at Home Orders, and Public Safety Guidelines. In this context, we have implemented health and safety precautions and have allowed the sale of essential goods and locally sourced products.

While Ottawa's farmers and small business owners vend safety at our markets, an anti-masking and anti-lockdown protest continues to be scheduled in Ottawa - simultaneously - putting Ottawans at risk and disrupting our York Street Farmers' Market on a weekly basis.

Last Saturday, as our vendors were finishing the day on a high note, an unmasked assembly of approximately 600 people paraded to York Street, where they were greeted with food and entertained by a DJ.

Our team has spoken to the Ottawa Police and the City of Ottawa to determine the legality of such an event and find a potential solution. Despite, in Ottawa Markets opinion, the rally being dangerous, inappropriate, and against Public Health Guidelines, the anti-masking protest will be allowed to continue.

For the health and safety of our vendors and guests, we have made the responsible but difficult decision to reduce the York Street Farmers' Market by an hour so as to not overlap with the demonstration, meaning the Market will run from 8:00am-12:00pm along York Street until such a time that we can safely expand the hours.

See you Saturday morning on York Street!
- Marchés d'Ottawa Markets