Chelsea activist fined for insulting politicians says 'civility' bylaw is unconstitional

Share this Story : Chelsea activist fined for insulting politicians says 'civility' bylaw is unconstitional Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Local News Chelsea activist fined for insulting politicians says 'civility' bylaw is unconstitional Jean-Paul Murray, a dedicated and caustic critic of Chelsea’s handling of Gatineau Park, was issued five fines under the bylaw in 2023, each for $509. Author of the article: Andrew Duffy Published Mar 18, 2025 • Last updated 0 minutes ago • 3 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account.

Jean-Paul Murray is a longtime critic of Chelsea politicians for their handling of Gatineau Park, particularly the incursion of development on and around Meech Lake. POSTMEDIA Article content A Chelsea activist , fined more than $2,500 for insulting local politicians, is going to court to argue that the municipality’s “civility” bylaw is unconstitutional. Jean-Paul Murray, a dedicated and caustic critic of the municipality’s handling of Gatineau Park, was issued five fines under the bylaw in 2023, each for $509.



The fines were levied under Chelsea’s “peace and good order bylaw.” It prohibits abusive and insulting language — or swear words — being directed at municipal politicians, police officers and officials. The bylaw, passed in 2022, also applies to online comments.

Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others.

Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.

Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism.

REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address Continue or View more offers If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, online access is included in your subscription. Activate your Online Access Now Article content Murray contends the bylaw unfairly infringes on his right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“I think they’re targeting me because I’m the harshest critic of what they’re doing at Meech Lake,” Murray said in an interview Monday. “I’m not just calling these people out because I don’t like the way they look: It’s because they’re mismanaging the public trust,” he charged. “What I’m doing by using this colorful language, I’m focusing attention on a scandal.

” A writer and translator, Murray is secretary of the Gatineau Park Protection Committee. He contends Chelsea has wrongly allowed 119 structures to be built without municipal permits by people who own private land around Meech Lake. Many of the structures are on the shoreline, lakebed or other NCC land.

Jean-Paul Murray contends the Chelsea bylaw unfairly infringes on his right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. POSTMEDIA He also alleges Chelsea officials have withheld relevant documents about private development on Meech Lake in violation of access to information laws. In emails and Facebook posts, Murray has harshly criticized Chelsea politicians for their conduct, calling them “tinpot tyrants,” “nimrods” and “fart catchers,” among other things.

Evening Update The Ottawa Citizen’s best journalism, delivered directly to your inbox by 7 p.m. on weekdays.

There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way.

If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Evening Update will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up.

Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The Municipality of Chelsea did not return a request for comment Monday.

Chelsea Mayor Pierre Guénard has told Low Down to Hull and Back News that the municipality had “no choice” but to fight back against Murray’s insults, which he described as intimidating and derogatory. “As a municipality, we must guarantee a harassment-free workplace for our employees,” he said. Murray’s constitutional challenge to Chelsea’s civility bylaw is being argued by lawyer Mark Bourrie.

The case was scheduled to be heard this week in the Chelsea courthouse, but it was postponed Monday. A new court date has yet to be set. In a legal brief filed as part of the case, Bourrie argues that “while insults can be cruel and unkind, they are not against the law.

” “Whether we like it or not, insults are part of politics,” Bourrie wrote. “Pierre Poilievre’s nickname of ‘Sellout Singh’ would be illegal under this bylaw if Mr. Singh was a Chelsea councillor instead of being the national NDP leader.

As for things said about Justin Trudeau, perhaps the less said, the better.” Bourrie said there’s no suggestion Murray engaged in threats or hate speech, and he noted Chelsea officials could have sued for libel if they believed his posts met that threshold. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content The municipality tried to have Murray charged with criminal harassment in 2023, Bourrie said, but Gatineau police decided his behaviour did not warrant such a charge. Chelsea instead has sought to criminalize insult, he said, with a bylaw that does not allow fair comment or truth as a defence. Both are common defences in libel cases.

The Supreme Court has placed strict limits on when a constitutional right, such as free speech, can be circumscribed. Bourrie said the Chelsea bylaw does not meet the court’s legal test. “It infringes a highly protected right — expression on political matters and matters of public interest — to protect the feelings of members of a town council,” he argued.

Bourrie wants the court to strike down the law as unconstitutional and dismiss the charges against Murray. How to police behaviour in the online political arena is an increasingly significant issue in Canada, particularly given the treatment of female politicians . In February 2024, France Bélisle resigned as mayor of Gatineau, citing the deleterious health effects of dealing with a hostile online community.

Former environment minister and Ottawa Centre MP Catherine McKenna was a frequent target of online harassment and regularly denigrated as “Climate Barbie.” Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content In his legal brief, Bourrie suggested politics is not for the thin-skinned.

“Their actions and attitudes are matters for public discussion in a democracy,” he said. “They voluntarily enter the public arena. Because people take some issues very seriously and express themselves emotionally or critically, politics can be rough.

” Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Recommended from Editorial Ontario sent his late wife a $200 rebate cheque — then the runaround began Feds select 'technical adviser' for new Ottawa-Gatineau bridge in waning hours of Trudeau government Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : Chelsea activist fined for insulting politicians says 'civility' bylaw is unconstitional Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments. Create an Account Sign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion.

Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments.

Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Trending A Senators victory over Montreal Canadiens would give Ottawa an Original Six sweep Ottawa Senators Police seek suspect in Barrhaven bus stop assault News Should public servants delay retirement or take the benefits now? Public Service Facing $20M budget squeeze, OCDSB looks to eliminate 150 jobs Local News Car suspected in road rage incident blasts past OPP at 280 km/h Local News Read Next Latest National Stories Featured Local Savings.