St. Catharines Mayor Defends Speed Cameras as Traffic Safety Tool

In a recent telephone town hall, St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe reaffirmed his support for the city’s speed camera program, emphasizing its role in promoting traffic safety rather than generating revenue. During the session, which took place on the evening of October 15, 2024, Siscoe noted that all funds collected from speed camera fines are reinvested into traffic-calming initiatives, such as speed humps and lane narrowing, aimed at reducing vehicle speeds in residential areas.

Siscoe addressed concerns raised by citizens about the speed cameras, explaining, “Ultimately, the only goal is to slow the traffic down. But when we do collect revenue, that revenue doesn’t just go in general coffers. We are using it to build up the roads so that they slow the traffic down as well.” His comments came in response to a question about the effectiveness and implementation of the speed camera program.

The discussion comes in the wake of comments from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who referred to speed cameras as a potential “cash grab” and introduced legislation to ban their use in municipalities. Earlier this month, Siscoe was among 22 mayors who signed a letter urging Ford to reconsider the ban and instead collaborate on improvements to the program. Suggested changes include limiting camera operation to school days, issuing warning tickets for initial violations, and preventing repeat fines from newly-installed cameras.

Niagara Region’s speed cameras generated approximately $3 million in revenue during the 2024 fiscal year after deducting operational costs. Of this total, half, or $1.5 million, was allocated to the region’s 12 lower-tier municipalities based on their assessment values. Siscoe highlighted how these funds have been used to implement effective traffic-calming measures across the area, illustrating their positive impact on local communities.

For instance, in Port Dalhousie, improvements were made on Main Street in front of an elementary school, where traffic-calming measures have successfully enhanced safety. Siscoe also pointed to Oakdale Crescent in Merritton, where residents expressed concerns about speeding vehicles. The installation of plastic delineator poles has reportedly made it safer for residents to navigate the road.

“There was traffic coming along Oakdale at very high rates of speed, making it almost impossible to turn out of there safely,” Siscoe explained. “We put in traffic-calming measures, which slowed traffic down enough that residents now feel comfortable making turns out of that court without any issue, but the traffic is still moving.”

The town hall session, hosted by Dawn Dodge, chair of the budget standing committee, and Steph Vivier from 610 CKTB, attracted significant public interest. Over 29,300 phone numbers were invited to join, with 3,685 participants engaging throughout the hour-long event. At its peak, the session had 1,188 attendees actively on the line.

During the meeting, Siscoe and Dodge addressed a variety of issues, including homelessness, snow clearing, tax breaks for seniors, and the police budget. The city council has adopted a multi-year budget covering the years 2024 to 2026, which includes capital, water, and wastewater rates as well as operating budgets. Siscoe is preparing to present a budget proposal with an anticipated increase of less than 2 percent to council on November 5, with discussions and amendments scheduled for November 19.

“We’ve been trying to cut where we can and at the same time provide good services to our residents because we know that’s important to them,” Dodge said regarding fiscal responsibility. She encouraged residents to reach out with their budget inquiries, providing a link to the city’s budget website.

Siscoe’s steadfast support for the speed camera initiative illustrates a commitment to enhancing road safety, even amidst political challenges. The ongoing dialogue between local authorities and provincial leadership highlights the complexities of traffic management and community safety in Ontario.