Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says the city may have to lay off about a thousand workers now that the Ontario government has effectively banned speed cameras in municipalities across the province.

Chow told reporters on Friday that revenue earned by the city through its automated speed enforcement program covered the costs of 911 crossing guards, at a price of $31.2 million, and 18 traffic safety police officers, at a price of $3.9 million.

"That funding is now gone as of today," Chow said at an unrelated news conference.

Chow said the city will have to lay off about 100 workers who ran the automated speed enforcement program.

"It felt like a make-work project. Install the cameras. Okay, a few years later, get rid of the cameras. Hire the staff, fire the staff. A thousand people may lose t

See Full Page