The City of Ottawa says crews will be removing unauthorized advertisements from some sidewalks downtown.<\/p>\n
In recent days, residents have noticed messages on sidewalks for PC Health, an app by Loblaw that includes an AI chatbot<\/a> that answers health-related questions. <\/p>\n A spokesperson for Loblaw called the campaign \u201ca creative and unexpected way\u201d to highlight health questions Canadians have.<\/p>\n \u201cSidewalk art is a very common and fun tactic often used in marketing activations, and it was made with an eco-friendly chalk that will wash off with water,\u201d Loblaw said.<\/p>\n \u201cPC Health launched a made-in-Canada AI health chat made specifically for Canadians, and we think they deserve to know about it. It\u2019s based on Canadian clinical guidelines and overseen by a Canadian clinical advisory board.\u201d<\/p>\n In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, the city says it received at least two service requests regarding the ads.<\/p>\n \u201cUpon investigation, it was determined the markings were not authorized and we will be removing them in the coming days,\u201d said Ian Ferguson, program manager of Waste Collections. \u201cThe Graffiti Management Bylaw No. 2008-01 prohibits the placement of marking on public property without proper notice and approval.\u201d<\/p>\n Under the city\u2019s graffiti management bylaw, vandals can face fines of $615 including a victim surcharge. <\/p>\n Jake Gravelle, Ottawa\u2019s Chief of Bylaw and Regulatory Services, said the matter remains under investigation and could not comment on whether fines would be issued in this case. <\/p>\n In a follow-up statement, a Loblaw spokesperson said the company has heard the concerns raised.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile chalk marketing activations are common in many communities, we\u2019re working with our vendor to have the sidewalk markings removed as soon as possible,\u201d Loblaw said in an email.<\/p>\n This comes after Loblaw was criticized for a late night drone show in Toronto in September advertising the app. <\/p>\n On social media, Stittsville Coun. Glen Gower applauded the city statement on removing the ads.<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps Loblaws could buy some ads in a local newspaper or on a bus or in a transit station. Both are 100% legal options that supports the local community too,\u201d he said in a post on Bluesky<\/a>.<\/p>\n This is not the first time ads like this have caused controversy in Ottawa.<\/p>\n