Jon Liedtke joins The Gene Valaitis Show on Niagara’s 610CKTB to discuss the ongoing debate about speed cameras in Ontario and whether they are truly about road safety or merely a revenue generating tool.

Many residents and even politicians, have long viewed them as a the latter and simply a cash grab. This perspective has been reinforced by the recent focus on “lost revenues” -millions of dollars that have disappeared from municipal coffers – rather than any measurable decline in road safety concerns since the cameras’ status changed. Conversely, some who support the cameras argue that objecting to them is essentially arguing for the right to break the law without consequence.

Adding a layer of unintended political irony to the conversation is the Ford government’s recent track record on signage and decals. The speed camera issue is now part of a “three-run streak” of high-profile “flubs” involving materials that were either too big, didn’t stick, or didn’t reflect properly. This includes the gas-pump anti-carbon tax stickers which couldn’t stick, license plates that couldn’t be read at night by police (or anyone), and the current problem with speed camera signs being too large for some municipalities’ existing street poles, prompting the provincial government to pay – at our collective expense – to replace the poles.

This series of public failures related to basic administrative materials has resulted in “bad optics” for the government. The irony is particularly sharp given the Premier’s background as a former CEO of a labels company. While these mistakes may not reflect poorly on the overall governance, they certainly hurt the public image of a “competent businessman,” as he is seen to be failing in a realm where he should be a “master of the universe”.

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This aired on 610 CKTB
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