Ottawa Markets was just following city’s own rules

Ottawa Markets found itself embroiled in controversy on Tuesday because it wanted to force buskers to have insurance if they wanted permits to perform in the ByWard Market.

It didn’t help (or it did help, depending on where you fall in the debate) that the Ottawa music strategy was up for approval at the finance and economic development committee.

In response to questions from reporters, Mayor Jim Watson called the busker insurance rule ridiculous. This is a city, after all, that’s trying to make more music, not create barriers for musicians.

After hearing the CBC Radio story about the busker insurance issue, Watson’s office contacted Ottawa Markets, and by noon the new markets organization ended the insurance requirement.

It’s surprising Ottawa Markets reversed its policy so quickly and reverted back to the pre- Ottawa Markets days when the city, apparently, didn’t ask for buskers to prove they’re insured. The city’s own ByWard Market bylaw, which Ottawa Markets appears to have been following, says permit holders need to file proof of insurance.

A copy of the bylaw is posted on the vendors association website.

“Generally, the ByWard bylaw requires all licensees and permit holders to provide proof of insurance,” according to Stephen Willis, the city’s general manager of planning, infrastructure and economic development. “The past practice indicates the requirement was not enforced by the city’s markets management for street performers and we understand that Ottawa Markets — in assuming the management of the markets — has made the same determination on the insurance requirements at this time for street performers.”

Ottawa Markets probably could have pointed this out, perhaps even highlighting the fact that the city might not have been enforcing its own insurance requirement, but instead it chose to take it on the chin.

Ottawa Markets, which is only three months old, could be exposed legally if something goes awry during a busker performance. Maybe it’s easier for Ottawa Markets to look like the bad guy here rather than go up against city hall, which created the organization. jwilling@postmedia.com twitter.com/JonathanWilling