Want to stop a program? Fine. Want to disparage cities like Guelph while you do it? Not fine. In a follow up to my comments regarding the decision of Premier @fordnation to ban speed enforcement cameras across the province, I wanted to add the following: ➡️ If the Ford government wants to end their own street and pedestrian safety program that is proven to work, so be it. That’s on them. It was their regulations that allowed it to happen in the first place. It was them who promoted the use of these cameras and it was them who encouraged municipalities to adopt these safety measures. We took their lead. It’s with this backdrop that I can’t let go of the total inaccurate statements made by the provincial government yesterday and today. Because Guelph residents need the truth. ➡️ It’s not a cash grab. If it was, then it was the provinces cash grab because they’re the ones who started the program and set the regulations for what fines could be imposed for people breaking the law. Breaking the law and getting a fine isn’t a cash grab. ➡️ It’s not a tax grab. Cities aren’t taxing every household or business for this speed enforcement program. It’s funded by, you guessed it, those that break the law by speeding. If you don’t speed, you don’t pay. But since the government is now taking this program away, guess what? Every household and business will now pay through property taxes for the road safety initiatives we’re implementing. ➡️ People weren’t getting tickets for going 2 or 4kms over. That is 100% not true. The thresholds are set much higher targeting excessive speeding that poses real risks. ➡️ Enforcement hours were generally scheduled during periods when one could reasonably expect activities around the school. ➡️ The money didn’t go into a slush fund. It went directly (by policy) into a transportation reserve that has funded new pedestrian crosswalks, road safety measures and improvements. Guelph earmarked future revenue for additional traffic calming and more… ➡️ We placed these cameras in school zones. This is where there are the most vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists or other road users. More specifically it’s about our children. Parents have told me they now feel these areas are safer and they’re letting their kids walk or ride to school more independently which is a good thing. ➡️ I can’t speak to other communities that have implemented this program. But Guelph has not done large-scale programs city-wide. ➡️ We have the data. This program worked. When we started it, about 40% of drivers were exceeding the speed limit by a minimum of 10kms. As of July this year that number has dropped to 15%. Even after cameras are removed drivers are going at least 15% slower in the same school zones. ➡️ Guelph exceeded the provincial signage regulations to make sure people were aware. ➡️ All locations were transparently stated prior to operating and available on our website. ➡️ Guelph is willing to work with the Province and other municipalities on a review of the program and would welcome discussions on changes if necessary. ➡️ In the meantime, I hope the province will reimburse any investments or resources that have gone into the start up of this program that the province originally initiated. And, that any new funding for infrastructure would include both capital and ongoing operating expenses incurred by our city.