Province Explains Photo Radar Decision
Robert Thomas
With the Provincial government recently announcing that Photo Radar or Photo Speed Enforcement (PSE) would be permanent a report stated the City had spent $450,000 on Traffic Safety Initiatives while receiving over $1.1 million in fine revenue.
With the reserve account now drained, MJ Independent wanted to know where the money had gone. After asking questions to the City it was determined the data used in the PSE assessment report was not complete. The City had in fact spent $1.8 million in qualifying Traffic Safety Initiatives.
To find out if the use of incomplete data in the report may have affected the Provincial Government's decision to cut future funding to Moose Jaw, we asked the following questions, with Executive Council providing the answers.
Executive Council provides support to the Premier, Cabinet and Cabinet committees. It also develops and advances the government’s plan for Saskatchewan and manages how that is implemented across government.
How much consideration was given to the $450,000 figure when considering redistributing some of the photo radar fines to other communities?
It was not a factor whatsoever. Photo speed enforcement (PSE) is a safety program, funded by SGI with zero cost to the City of Moose Jaw. Ideally, there would be no PSE revenue, because it would mean people were obeying speed limits.
The decision regarding the new funding model is based on the principle that -- if there is any revenue generated by PSE -- communities around Saskatchewan should also be able to access some funding for traffic safety initiatives. Of course, as long as people speed past those cameras, Moose Jaw will still be eligible to receive a portion of the revenues generated, at no cost to the City.
The redistribution of profits from PSE was immediately opposed by Ryan Meili’s NDP Party, who felt the proceeds should remain with municipalities.
What is your response to the updated figures the City of Moose Jaw has provided and SGI has said they qualify for Traffic Safety Initiatives and therefore can be funded from Photo Radar fines?
SGI does not dispute those figures, nor does the provincial government. We are pleased that the City of Moose Jaw has been able to invest in additional traffic safety initiatives.
Given Moose Jaw has spent $1.8 million on Traffic Safety Initiatives (this exceeds photo radar fine income) and the City is not just building up a reserve fund, is there any opportunity for reconsideration of transferring Photo Radar Fines outside the community?
Again, the PSE program is not about generating revenue, it's about calming traffic in areas where speed is a problem.
But the decision regarding the new funding model is based on the principle that -- if there is revenue -- communities around Saskatchewan should also be able to benefit from additional funding from PSE for traffic safety initiatives.
There is no cost to the City of Moose Jaw for photo speed enforcement. Municipalities should consider PSE revenue as additional revenue, not something that should be expected every year. We are hopeful PSE revenues continue to shrink as drivers slow down.
Is there anything the City can do to get this reconsidered?
We are well aware of the City's position. Moose Jaw will continue to benefit -- at no cost or risk to the City -- from a portion of the revenues that PSE generates if drivers continue to speed past PSE cameras. Other communities should also be able to invest in traffic safety initiatives. The next steps with PSE announced in September recognize that.
Do you have anything else to add?
We encourage drivers to obey posted speed limits. Drivers who do, don't get speeding tickets.
See what Moose Jaw North MLA Warren Michelson had to say about the controversy surrounding Photo Radar.
