Seen: Queen’s Park passes photo-radar bill

Who’s ready for some photo radar?

After a fight at the committee stage, Bill 65, the Safer Schools Zones Act, passed third reading Tuesday on a 92-1 vote, with only newly independent MPP Jack MacLaren voting against it. The legislation now requires the signature of the lieutenant-governor before it comes law.

Bill 65 lets municipalities set lower speed limits and use photo radar to police local traffic. One of the only tweaks to the legislation at committee was to restrict the use of photo radar in designated community safety zones where the speed limit is below 80 kilometres per hour. Photo radar will also be allowed in school zones.

There had been a protracted procedural battle when the bill was still in committee, as the Progressive Conservatives tried to insert an amendment that would make camera footage from school buses admissible in court, making it easier to nail drivers who “blow by” the vehicles when they make a stop. The amendment failed, with the Liberals calling it a “political tactic” by the Tories, who protested the bill at first over fears it would become a “cash grab."

In the end,  Liberal, NDP and PC MPPs all voted in favour of Bill 65. Only MacLaren voted against it.

Bill 65 will come into force at a date that’s still to be determined.

To contact the reporter on this story:
gzochodne@qpbriefing.com
416-212-5913
Twitter: @geoffzochodne