Ottawa to ask province for photo radar for school zones

Ottawa could soon havephoto radar in school zones after city council voted in favour of askingthe Ontario government for thepower to use the technology.

• Jim Watson now open to photo radar, but only in school zones
• Revitalization plan for ByWard, Parkdale markets moves forward

Coun.RileyBrockingtonoriginally brought up the issue of photo radarin February, shortly afterToronto Mayor John Tory said he would ask the Ontario government to allow it to use the technology.

After last week'stransportation committee meeting saw Brockington'sideareduced to a pilot project in school zones only, the councillortried again Wednesday to expand the programto also includethe areas just beyond school zones, where children walk on their way to school.

Fears over 'photo radar creep'

Some councillors said the biggest problem within school zones isn't speeding, but drivers performingu-turns during pickup and drop-off times. The speeding occurs just outside school zones, saidCatherineMcKenneyand JeffLeiper, councillorswho represent urban wards.

"It is important that we're using the right tool for the right job," said Leiper.

But others, including Coun. Diane Deans,expressed unease over the potential for"photo radar creep."

'We had an opportunity to really put safety at the forefront andwe did not dothat."- Coun. Riley Brockington

The mayor, whose office helped craft the school zone pilot project, urged his council colleagues to vote down Brockington'slatest proposal. And they did,by a vote of 8-14.

"We have chronic areas where we know speeding exists, chronic areaswe havecollisions that exist," said a disappointed Brockington following the rejection.

"The pilot is really streamlined or watered down to school zones. I'm not arguing against school zones; that's animportant zone to focus in on as well, but we had an opportunity to really put safety at the forefront andwe did not dothat."

Ottawa4FortMac fundraiser announced

Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Phillips, who was born in Fort McMurray, Alta.,joined Mayor Jim Watson in the council chamberWednesday to announce a fundraising effort to help people affected by the wildfire that devestated his hometown.

The Ottawa4FortMac fundraiser will featurelive country music, a dinner catered by local pizzerias, craft beer and a mechanical bull. The party will take place at Lansdowne Park's Aberdeen Pavilion on June 8.

Phillips saidmany friends and relatives,including his sister,are displaced and need all the support they can get.

"Some of them are unsure of what's going to be left when they go back," said Phillips. "They're going to need a lot of help both immediately and in the long term, andI'm trying to make a difference."

Phillips said the money raised would go to the Canadian Red Cross and other organizations.

The CBC's Kate Porter tweeted the details from today's city council meeting live from city hall.

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