Latest news with #AnthonyPerruzza
Cision Canada
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
Pedal for a Purpose: Ride the Track 2025 Opens the Toronto Indy Circuit to Fuel Kids Across the GTA
In partnership with Exhibition Place and Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, The Children's Breakfast Club invites the public to cycle for a cause TORONTO, July 3, 2025 /CNW/ - The Children's Breakfast Clubs has announced Ride the Track 2025, an exciting opportunity for Toronto families and community members to cycle the iconic Toronto Indy track while raising funds to fight childhood food insecurity. In partnership with Exhibition Place, Canada's premier destination for events and entertainment, and Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, Ride the Track 2025 will take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, transforming the legendary Exhibition Place circuit into a family-friendly event in support of The Children's Breakfast Clubs, a Toronto-based nonprofit that provides over 10,000 hot meals to children every week. Attendees will experience a ribbon-cutting ceremony with appearances by professional hockey player Mikyla Grant-Mentis, Toronto City Councillors Anthony Perruzza and Brad Bradford, and Member of Parliament Michael Ma. All proceeds from the event will support breakfast and lunch programs in underserved communities across Toronto and the GTA, helping fuel better learning, health and futures for families. "This is more than a ride — it's a movement," says Zubeda Nanji, Executive Director of The Children's Breakfast Club. "Every child deserves a nutritious meal to start their day, and this event helps make that possible." "Offering the community such a unique experience while supporting The Children's Breakfast Clubs is something our team is incredibly proud and honoured to do," said Jeff Atkinson, president of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto. "We are thrilled to once again open the legendary Toronto Indy track to the public while contributing to such a vital cause." "We are delighted to host Ride the Track 2025 and continue our partnership with these two impactful organizations," said Don Boyle, CEO of Exhibition Place. "Bringing the community together to support such an important cause is a privilege and we are happy to be able to offer such an experience to the public." Ride the Track 2025 will take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, starting at 5 p.m. For more information and to register, visit with options for families, schools, community groups, and sponsors. About Ride the Track 2025 Ride the Track is a first-of-its-kind community cycling event giving the public rare access to ride on the iconic Toronto Indy Track at Exhibition Place. Open to all ages, the event raises funds for The Children's Breakfast Club — helping provide hot, nutritious meals to kids across Toronto and the GTA. This year's event brings together families, local leaders, and special guests for a day of movement, connection, and purpose. About The Children's Breakfast Clubs The Children's Breakfast Club is a Toronto-based nonprofit providing healthy meals, educational programs, and community support to children across Southern Ontario. With over 40 years of service, the organization now delivers more than 10,000 meals per week, helping fuel brighter futures for the next generation. About Exhibition Place Established in 1879 and located on the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto, the award-winning Exhibition Place is Canada's largest entertainment venue, hosting 2,029 events and attracting over 5.5 million visitors a year. The 192-acre site is an integral component of Toronto and Ontario's economy, particularly with respect to conventions, sports, festivals, recreation, culture, and tourism. Exhibition Place boasts the award-winning, LEED Gold Enercare Centre; Canada's largest exhibition and convention centre, and the Automotive Building LEED Silver conference venue. Since 2004, Exhibition Place has undertaken an environmental stewardship initiative, entitled GREENSmart; which includes the promotion of sustainable development, environmental initiatives and leading-edge green technologies and practices across the site. About Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto is a world-class motorsports festival which takes place annually on a 2.874-kilometre (1.786-mile), 11-turn temporary circuit using the streets surrounding Exhibition Place near Lake Ontario in downtown Toronto. The event features many attractions, food trucks, interactive displays and activities, and supports local charities. Your Ontario Honda Dealers Present Free Fan Friday which offers general admission courtesy of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association through a voluntary donation to Make-A-Wish® Canada. Since 2010, event fundraising has raised over $1 million for charity. As one of Ontario's largest annual sporting events with the first race held in 1986 first known as the Molson Indy, it has become a prestigious meeting place for some of the world's fastest race car drivers including past NTT INDYCAR SERIES champions like Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Alex Palou and Will Power as well as Canadian racing greats Scott Goodyear, James Hinchcliffe, Greg Moore, Alex Tagliani, Paul Tracy, Jacques Villeneuve, Robert Wickens and more. Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto is owned and operated by Green Savoree Toronto, ULC, whose affiliates also promote three additional INDYCAR SERIES races: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding (Feb. 28 - March 2, 2025), The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport (July 4-6, 2025) and Grand Prix of Portland (Aug. 8-10, 2025).
CTV News
27-06-2025
- CTV News
5 Toronto speed cameras vandalized this week, police say
Toronto City Councillor Anthony Perruzza says speed cameras are not changing the behaviour of drivers and wants to see more visible markings in school zones. Toronto City Councillor Anthony Perruzza says speed cameras are not changing the behaviour of drivers and wants to see more visible markings in school zones. Five of Toronto's Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras were vandalized since Tuesday, police said on Thursday, as city councillors debated how to improve the program and make it 'fairer' for drivers. The latest incidents happened at five locations — including Sheppard Avenue East west of Don Mills Road, The East Mall near Faludon Court, Pharmacy Avenue near Sherwood and Galworthy Avenues, and McCowan Road south of Sandhurst Circle, Toronto police confirmed to CTV News Toronto. The city said in a statement that it 'is aware that several pole-mounted Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras were vandalized in recent days and is working with its vendor on solutions to prevent future incidents of vandalism.' The city added that tampering with or damaging the devices would allow dangerous speeding to continue and undermine the safety of all road users. News of the vandalism came on the same day that Humber River–Black Creek Coun. Anthony Perruzza announced his intention to ask city council to temporarily halt issuing tickets from the city's cameras while staff review the program. Earlier this month, Vaughan announced it would suspend its own camera enforcement program until at least September, just months after it began issuing tickets. It said that the decision was made in response to rollout concerns from residents and an influx of calls related to people disputing tickets. In Toronto, where the number of speed cameras doubled to 150 earlier this year, the program has drawn repeated vandalism and generated roughly $40 million in fines last year. 'These cameras are becoming speed traps that have no meaningful impact on slowing down communities,' Perruzza told CP24 on Thursday morning. 'Often, drivers are unaware that this camera exists here, and responsible drivers are ticketed despite traveling at speeds close to the posted limits. I'm hearing from many residents that they feel unfairly penalized.' However, during Thursday evening's council meeting, Perruzza moved a different motion asking council to instead direct staff to review the issuance of penalties and work with the processing centre to 'to ensure tickets are dispensed fairly and clearly.' His motion was defeated. Mayor's motion passes Meanwhile, Mayor Olivia Chow introduced a motion that she said was aimed at making the ASE program 'fairer for drivers.' Her motion, which was approved, will direct staff to install larger, more visible and clearer signs where the cameras are deployed. 'Frankly, we don't want speed cameras to issue any tickets at all. The goal is to keep our roads safe and ensure people follow speed limits, especially in community safety zones which are near schools,' Chow said in a statement. Her motion will also request staff to prioritize projects that improve safety in school and community zones when allocating funds generated by the ASE program. Toronto's speed enforcement program was launched in 2020 under former Mayor John Tory and has grown significantly in scope since then, with three times as many cameras. Councillor Anthony Perruzza says speed cameras have become 'speed traps' As part of the program, cameras are rotated through Community Safety As part of the program, cameras are rotated through Community Safety Zones and signage is posted to alert drivers to the presence of the cameras. A study conducted by researchers with The Hospital for Sick Children and Toronto Metropolitan University in 2022 found that there has been an overall 45 per cent reduction in the proportion of drivers exceeding the speed limit in areas where the cameras are operational. City officials have also pointed out that the program is intended to change driver behaviour over time and is not about generating revenue. Perruzza has disputed whether it is accomplishing that goal. 'What we really want people to do is slow down, be more cognizant of their environment,' he told CP24 Thursday morning. 'You want to change behavior and the way the cameras are out there now; it's not doing that.' He argued that too many cameras operate with little warning or visibility. It should be noted that under provincial legislation, signage warning drivers about the presence of cameras in a new location must go up 90 days before they can begin issuing tickets. 'We need to have visible markings. People need to know that this is a school zone, that there is a camera here, and that if you exceed the posted speed limit, you are going to get a fine. But it needs to be clear. It needs to be visible,' he said. The ASE program has also faced its share of challenges. One notable location at Parkside drive, issued roughly 66,000 tickets since 2022. But it's been cut down numerous times in recent months, adding to the city's ongoing fight against vandals. Parkside Drive speed camera A damaged Parkside Drive speed camera is pictured in Toronto on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (CP24) Already, the city has logged more than 325 vandalism incidents involving its ASE cameras in 2025. John Tory defends the program Former mayor John Tory, speaking on NewsTalk 1010 Thursday morning, defended the cameras' role in making streets safer. 'I launched this program because of the incredible number of deaths and serious injuries that resulted from speeding,' he said. John Tory doesn't have plans to run for Toronto mayor, but says he has 'a lot to think about' John Tory doesn't have plans to run for Toronto mayor, but says he has 'a lot to think about' 'I said at the time, and I would say it again today, I don't care if those cameras take in one cent of revenue. The notion this is some kind of revenue grab is ridiculous, because the only thing that triggers a fine to be paid is if somebody speeds.' Meanwhile, Barbara Gray, Toronto's general manager of transportation services, told reporters the program is a 'critical piece' of the Vision Zero (program). 'The automated speed enforcement program is a critical piece of Vision Zero. People get killed and seriously injured related to speed,' she said. 'Automated enforcement gives us a much broader reach city wide to remind people that speeding is not what they need to be doing.' 'In my mind, our complement of speed enforcement cameras and red light cameras is exactly where it needs to be.' Flexibility versus enforcement Coun. Shelley Carroll, representing Don Valley North, said the program was never intended to be about making money. 'People talk about flexibility. Well, this isn't meant to be a cash grab. It's meant to change behavior, which means the amount of revenue from it should be going down every year as well, and we'd be happy to have it going down,' Carroll said. 'But if you want to add flexibility, if you want to add technology for every add to the program to make everyone perfectly happy, you're adding a need for human resources to run the program.' Since 2016, the city has gradually increased its investment in Vision Zero to support its road safety efforts. The 2025 council-approved budget of $99.1 million — $31.7 million in capital and $67.4 million in operating — marking the largest annual investment for the program since its launch.
CTV News
27-06-2025
- CTV News
5 Toronto speed cameras vandalized in 24 hours, police say
Toronto City Councillor Anthony Perruzza says speed cameras are not changing the behaviour of drivers and wants to see more visible markings in school zones. Five of Toronto's Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras were vandalized in the past 24 hours, police said on Thursday, as city councillors debated how to improve the program and make it 'fairer' for drivers. The latest incidents happened at five locations — including Sheppard Avenue East west of Don Mills Road, The East Mall near Faludon Court, Pharmacy Avenue near Sherwood and Galworthy Avenues, and McCowan Road south of Sandhurst Circle, Toronto police confirmed to CTV News Toronto. The city said in a statement that it 'is aware that several pole-mounted Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras were vandalized in recent days and is working with its vendor on solutions to prevent future incidents of vandalism.' The city added that tampering with or damaging the devices would allow dangerous speeding to continue and undermine the safety of all road users. News of the vandalism came on the same day that Humber River–Black Creek Coun. Anthony Perruzza announced his intention to ask city council to temporarily halt issuing tickets from the city's cameras while staff review the program. Earlier this month, Vaughan announced it would suspend its own camera enforcement program until at least September, just months after it began issuing tickets. It said that the decision was made in response to rollout concerns from residents and an influx of calls related to people disputing tickets. In Toronto, where the number of speed cameras doubled to 150 earlier this year, the program has drawn repeated vandalism and generated roughly $40 million in fines last year. 'These cameras are becoming speed traps that have no meaningful impact on slowing down communities,' Perruzza told CP24 on Thursday morning. 'Often, drivers are unaware that this camera exists here, and responsible drivers are ticketed despite traveling at speeds close to the posted limits. I'm hearing from many residents that they feel unfairly penalized.' However, during Thursday evening's council meeting, Perruzza moved a different motion asking council to instead direct staff to review the issuance of penalties and work with the processing centre to 'to ensure tickets are dispensed fairly and clearly.' His motion was defeated. Mayor's motion passes Meanwhile, Mayor Olivia Chow introduced a motion that she said was aimed at making the ASE program 'fairer for drivers.' Her motion, which was approved, will direct staff to install larger, more visible and clearer signs where the cameras are deployed. 'Frankly, we don't want speed cameras to issue any tickets at all. The goal is to keep our roads safe and ensure people follow speed limits, especially in community safety zones which are near schools,' Chow said in a statement. Her motion also will also request staff to prioritize projects that improve safety in school and community zones when allocating funds generated by the ASE program. Toronto's speed enforcement program was launched in 2020 under former Mayor John Tory and has grown significantly in scope since then, with three times as many cameras. Councillor Anthony Perruzza says speed cameras have become 'speed traps' As part of the program, cameras are rotated through Community Safety As part of the program, cameras are rotated through Community Safety Zones and signage is posted to alert drivers to the presence of the cameras. A study conducted by researchers with The Hospital for Sick Children and Toronto Metropolitan University in 2022 found that there has been an overall 45 per cent reduction in the proportion of drivers exceeding the speed limit in areas where the cameras are operational. City officials have also pointed out that the program is intended to change driver behaviour over time and is not about generating revenue. Perruzza has disputed whether it is accomplishing that goal. 'What we really want people to do is slow down, be more cognizant of their environment,' he told CP24 Thursday morning. 'You want to change behavior and the way the cameras are out there now; it's not doing that.' He argued that too many cameras operate with little warning or visibility. It should be noted that under provincial legislation, signage warning drivers about the presence of cameras in a new location must go up 90 days before they can begin issuing tickets. 'We need to have visible markings. People need to know that this is a school zone, that there is a camera here, and that if you exceed the posted speed limit, you are going to get a fine. But it needs to be clear. It needs to be visible,' he said. The ASE program that has faced its share of challenges. One notable location at Parkside drive, issued roughly 66,000 tickets since 2022. But it's been cut down numerous times in recent months, adding to the city's ongoing fight against vandals. Parkside Drive speed camera A damaged Parkside Drive speed camera is pictured in Toronto on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (CP24) Already, the city has logged more than 325 vandalism incidents involving its ASE cameras in 2025. John Tory defends the program Former mayor John Tory, speaking on NewsTalk 1010 Thursday morning, defended the cameras' role in making streets safer. 'I launched this program because of the incredible number of deaths and serious injuries that resulted from speeding,' he said. John Tory doesn't have plans to run for Toronto mayor, but says he has 'a lot to think about' John Tory doesn't have plans to run for Toronto mayor, but says he has 'a lot to think about' 'I said at the time, and I would say it again today, I don't care if those cameras take in one cent of revenue. The notion this is some kind of revenue grab is ridiculous, because the only thing that triggers a fine to be paid is if somebody speeds.' Meanwhile, Barbara Gray, Toronto's general manager of transportation services, told reporters the program is a 'critical piece' of the Vision Zero (program). 'The automated speed enforcement program is a critical piece of Vision Zero. People get killed and seriously injured related to speed,' she said. 'Automated enforcement gives us a much broader reach city wide to remind people that speeding is not what they need to be doing.' 'In my mind, our complement of speed enforcement cameras and red light cameras is exactly where it needs to be.' Flexibility versus enforcement Coun. Shelley Carroll, representing Don Valley North, said the program was never intended to be about making money. 'People talk about flexibility. Well, this isn't meant to be a cash grab. It's meant to change behavior, which means the amount of revenue from it should be going down every year as well, and we'd be happy to have it going down,' Carroll said. 'But if you want to add flexibility, if you want to add technology for every add to the program to make everyone perfectly happy, you're adding a need for human resources to run the program.' Since 2016, the city has gradually increased its investment in Vision Zero to support its road safety efforts. The 2025 council-approved budget of $99.1 million — $31.7 million in capital and $67.4 million in operating — marking the largest annual investment for the program since its launch.
CTV News
26-06-2025
- CTV News
5 speed cameras vandalized in 24 hours as councillor pushes for pause to program
Toronto City Councillor Anthony Perruzza says speed cameras are not changing the behaviour of drivers and wants to see more visible markings in school zones.
CTV News
26-06-2025
- CTV News
Toronto councillor pushes to halt what he calls ‘speed trap' cameras ahead of council meeting
Toronto City Councillor Anthony Perruzza says speed cameras are not changing the behaviour of drivers and wants to see more visible markings in school zones.
