Ottawa to ask province for photo radar for school zones

Ottawa could soon have photo radar in school zones after city council voted in favour of asking the Ontario government for the power 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. Riley Brockington originally brought up the issue of photo radar in February, shortly after Toronto Mayor John Tory said he would ask the Ontario government to allow it to use the technology.

After last week's transportation committee meeting saw Brockington's idea reduced to a pilot project in school zones only, the councillor tried again Wednesday to expand the program to also include the 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 performing u-turns during pickup and drop-off times. The speeding occurs just outside school zones, said Catherine McKenney and Jeff Leiper, councillors who 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 and we did not do that."- Coun. Riley Brockington

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

"We have chronic areas where we know speeding exists, chronic areas we have collisions 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 an important zone to focus in on as well, but we had an opportunity to really put safety at the forefront and we did not do that."

Ottawa4FortMac fundraiser announced

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

The Ottawa4FortMac fundraiser will feature live 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 said many 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, and I'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.

See a recap of our blog below.

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