Brief Summary
The Premier of Ontario announced new measures to enhance road safety by banning speed cameras and investing in traffic calming measures. The focus is on proactive solutions like improved signage, speed bumps, and roundabouts, rather than retroactive penalties. The government aims to protect taxpayers from what they view as a "cash grab" by municipalities using speed cameras, while ensuring safer streets and communities.
- Banning speed cameras across Ontario.
- Investing in traffic calming measures like speed bumps, roundabouts, and better signage.
- Addressing concerns about municipal "cash grabs" through speed camera tickets.
Introduction and Acknowledgements
The Premier of Ontario begins by welcoming attendees to Vaughn, recognizing parliamentary colleagues, including Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Transportation Prait Sakaria, and local Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) such as Laura Smith and Michael Tabolo. He also acknowledges local mayors, including Steven Duka from Vaughn, Barry Verbonovich from Kitchener, and Alex Nuttle from Barry, along with other partners. The government's priority is ensuring public safety by investing in police officers and tools to combat crime, such as helicopters, drones, and upgraded license plate recognition technology. The focus is on enhancing road safety without imposing stealth taxes.
Police Association of Ontario's Perspective
Mark Baxter from the Police Association of Ontario expresses support for legislative reforms that prioritize public safety. The association has been advocating for a review of automated speed enforcement cameras since 2023, emphasizing the need for solutions that genuinely serve the public interest. He welcomes the government's commitment to funding proven traffic calming measures like improved road design, safer intersections, and enhanced community infrastructure. Baxter also highlights the importance of public education campaigns to help drivers understand the dangers of speeding. While education is crucial, trained police officers are also essential for exercising discretion and providing real-time education, fostering trust between law enforcement and the community.
Kitchener's Stance on Automated Speed Enforcement
Mayor Barry Verbonovich of Kitchener emphasizes that all elected officials prioritize the safety and security of their residents. He notes that while residents want safe communities and roadways, opinions diverge on automated speed enforcement. People prefer traffic calming and infrastructure improvements, along with enforcement by real police officers. He shares that residents felt they were not learning a lesson from ASE cameras but were instead getting angry and losing faith in government due to the financial burden. Kitchener supports a vision zero strategy to reduce traffic-related injuries and deaths through hotspot improvement programs, focusing on changing behavior through road design rather than punitive measures.
Barrie's Perspective on Traffic Calming Measures
Mayor Alex Nuttle of Barrie echoes the sentiments expressed by Mayor Verbonovich, noting that municipalities have lost public trust regarding ASE cameras. He expresses excitement about the province providing new funding opportunities for traffic calming measures, which he believes are permanent and create necessary protection for families. These measures save lives and ensure neighborhoods remain safe places to live and raise children. Nuttle thanks the premier for his leadership and commitment to enhancing traffic calming measures, emphasizing that these efforts respect taxpayers while improving safety.
Vaughn's Experience with Speed Camera Program
Mayor Deluca of Vaughn expresses honor at hosting the announcement and thanks Premier Ford for providing clarity on protecting vulnerable road users and enhancing road safety. He mentions that Vaughn paused its speed camera program on June 4th and recently decided to end it altogether. The decision was influenced by significant negative feedback from residents, who felt the program unfairly targeted those on fixed incomes and imposed multiple tickets for minor speeding infractions. Deluca emphasizes the importance of focusing on real crime and criminals, rather than relying on speed cameras, and appreciates the province's willingness to work with municipalities on alternative safety measures.
Minister of Transportation's Remarks
Minister of Transportation Prab Sarcaria thanks Mayor Deluca for his leadership and support in the fight for public safety. He highlights the government's investment of nearly $100 billion over the next decade in infrastructure, including $30 billion for highways, roads, and bridges. The government is also focused on reducing costs for drivers by making the freeze on license and photo card fees permanent. Sarcaria mentions strengthened legislation on road safety, such as increased penalties for street racing and lifetime license suspensions for impaired driving causing death.
Premier Ford Announces Ban on Speed Cameras
Premier Ford reiterates the government's commitment to protecting Ontario through infrastructure investments and reducing costs for drivers. He criticizes municipalities for using speed cameras as a cash grab, noting that drivers often receive tickets for minor speeding infractions without a fair way to contest them. He highlights that only 37 out of 444 municipalities still support speed cameras. The government will introduce legislation to ban speed cameras and launch a new fund to help municipalities install effective road safety measures, such as flashing signs, speed bumps, roundabouts, and raised crosswalks.
Q&A Session - Rationale and Alternatives
During the Q&A, Premier Ford addresses concerns about the timing of the announcement, emphasizing it is not a response to vandalism but a move against a tax grab. He defends the decision to ban speed cameras, arguing they are ineffective at slowing traffic and that alternative measures like speed bumps and prominent signage are more effective. He clarifies that the announced measures are not entirely new but have not been consistently or effectively implemented.
Q&A Session - Effectiveness and Municipal Concerns
Premier Ford explains the shift from considering better signage to outlawing speed cameras entirely, stating that they do not effectively slow people down. He acknowledges that infrastructure like roundabouts and speed bumps may be disruptive but are necessary for ensuring safe streets, especially in school zones. He addresses the history of the legislation, noting that the current situation has become an uncontrolled tax grab.
Q&A Session - Support and Tunnel Project
Premier Ford responds to questions about police chiefs and Sick Kids Hospital supporting speed cameras, maintaining that traffic calming measures are more effective. He mentions speaking with a police chief who does not use speed cameras but uses them for measurement. Regarding the 401 tunnel project, he emphasizes the economic costs of congestion and passes the question to Minister Sarcaria, who confirms ongoing engagement with engineers and progress on the feasibility study.
Q&A Session - Financials and Other Issues
Premier Ford addresses questions about forgiving or reimbursing tickets issued by speed cameras, stating it is up to the municipalities. He discusses the skills development fund's success in providing people with necessary career tools. He defends proactive traffic calming measures over reactive ticketing and highlights retraining programs for beer store workers affected by changes in alcohol retail.
Q&A Session - Municipal Contracts and Court Challenges
Premier Ford clarifies that municipalities often have deals with speed camera manufacturers where they receive a portion of the ticket revenue. He criticizes that the money collected from speed cameras is not being reinvested in road safety measures. He anticipates potential resistance to the ban on speed cameras but asserts that municipalities are creatures of the province and that the majority oppose speed cameras.
Q&A Session - Housing and Federal Overreach
Premier Ford outlines measures to stimulate home building, including dropping the HST, reducing development charges, and lowering interest rates. He criticizes federal overreach regarding the notwithstanding clause, arguing that it undermines democracy and gives too much power to politically appointed judges. He calls for the federal government to focus on bail reform and the Young Offenders Act.
Q&A Session - Funding and Marineland
Premier Ford states that the province will evaluate and support cities in implementing traffic calming measures, questioning how municipalities have used the revenue from speed camera fines. Regarding Marineland, he expresses concern for the welfare of the beluga whales and emphasizes the need to find them suitable homes, acknowledging the financial challenges of caring for them.
Conclusion
Premier Ford concludes by reiterating the government's commitment to putting money back in people's pockets and making streets safer through investments in proper infrastructure. He thanks the attendees and expresses his blessings.
