Edmonton officials question UCP photo radar ban in most 40 km zones
New provincial rules that ban photo radar in most 40 km/h zones are not sitting well with some Edmonton officials.
The UCP announced changes on Wednesday that the minister said will stop "fishing holes and speed traps."
They will also eliminate about 120 commonly-used enforcement sites on Edmonton residential roads.
"I am a little troubled about a couple of the changes," said Ward Nakota Isga Councillor Andrew Knack.
"The suggestion you shouldn’t be able to use it on streets under 50 km/h goes against what we hear from the public."
In September, city council reduced Edmonton's default speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h, affecting most of the residential roads in the city.
Knack said neighbourhoods are where most of his constituents want slower traffic and more police enforcement, not less.
"The public is often the one to say, 'I'd rather see it in communities'...I'm a little troubled that a change like that would happen without proper engagement," he said.
In a news conference, Transportation Minister Rajan Sawhney said the UCP's new rules will increase transparency and accountability.
Photo radar will still be allowed in zones under 50 km/h but only in school, playground or construction zones, and only if there are people present at the time.
"I have looked at the data and I know that photo radar does enhance safety outcomes based on what we know," Sawhney said.
The minister said municipalities will be required to provide data and rationale for why automated enforcement is being used in a particular place, but she didn't specifically explain why 40 km/h zones are out.
'FIRST THAT WE'RE HEARING OF THIS PIECE'
Edmonton's Director of Safe Mobility said she wasn't sure why the province brought that rule in either, and claimed it wasn't part of 2020 provincial consultations.
"This is the first that we're hearing of this piece in particular," Jessica Lamarre said Wednesday.
"Automated enforcement is an important tool in helping keep people safe in those spaces, and across the city."
Lamarre said the city would be conducting a review of its policies, and will be forced to look at other options on residential roads when the ban comes into effect in April 2022.
In-person police enforcement, expanding a safe-crossings program and traffic-calming infrastructure were possibilities, she said.
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said he still needs to review the new rules, but he believes most Edmontonians still want photo radar in the city.
"At the end of the day we want our kids and our community to feel safe, and that's why we use this tool," Sohi said.
Knack said the city has data that proves its efforts to improve road safety, including using photo radar in neighbourhoods, are working.
"There has been a measurable change in people's safety on our streets over the years because of all of the tools we've been using," he said, adding he's happy the province is promising to use a data-based approach going forward.
Photo radar generated about $100 million in Edmonton in 2020. The city and the province split that revenue with some of it then directed to policing and victims services.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.