Court rules Ottawa's police board violated critics' freedom of expression

07-Nov-2025

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A small claims court has ruled that the Ottawa Police Service Board violated the Charter by arbitrarily and unfairly restricting speakers critical of the police at its meetings.

Deputy judge Sonya Notturno awarded $1,750 to Robin Browne of 613-819 Black Hub, and $750 to Jeffrey Bradley, a PhD candidate who has delegated for the Criminalization and Punishment Education Project.

Both Browne and Bradley accused the board, which oversees the Ottawa Police Service, of infringing their Charter rights, including their freedom of expression.