As Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) convene at Queen’s Park this week, a hot-button issue on the agenda is the future of speed cameras, set to be a point of contention for the Ford government.
The proposed legislation to outlaw speed cameras was put forth by the provincial government on Monday, despite facing opposition from city mayors, police chiefs, and safety proponents.
Premier Doug Ford has remained firm in his stance to pass the bill prohibiting speed cameras, denouncing them as a mere revenue-generating tool.
A recent poll has shed light on public sentiment regarding Ford’s stance within Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Survey results conducted by Canada Pulse Insights for CityNews indicate that over 60% of Torontonians disagree with Ford’s intentions to ban speed enforcement cameras. Only 46% support the premier’s claim that these cameras are solely a means for municipalities to collect money and do not contribute to enhancing road safety.
The survey also delved into other contentious government decisions, revealing mixed reactions from residents. Opinions are evenly split in Toronto regarding Ford’s proposal to eliminate bike lanes from major city thoroughfares, while approximately 51% express approval for the government’s move to assume control of multiple school boards across the province.
In terms of Ontario Place’s planned transformation into a waterpark and spa, a majority of 59% oppose the government’s initiative, as revealed by the survey.
Despite securing a third consecutive majority government, public opinion about Premier Ford’s performance remains divided. While 53% of Torontonians view Ford unfavorably, 57% of GTA residents approve of his governance.
Interestingly, a considerable portion of the population (16% in Toronto and 51% in the GTA) believe it is time for a change and advocate for a new leader to assume the premier’s position.
In contrast to Alberta’s rumblings about secession, residents of Toronto and the GTA overwhelmingly support Ontario remaining a part of Canada, with 94% and 92% respectively voicing their desire to stay within the country.
The survey, conducted between Sept. 30 and Oct. 6 among a representative sample of Canadian adults in Toronto and the GTA, boasts a reliability of +/- 4.9% and a confidence level of 95%.