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Toronto Mayor Says Reducing Speed Limit Is 'Nuts, Nuts, Nuts, Nuts'

CBC  |  Posted: 04/27/2012 1:36 pm Updated: 05/ 1/2012 7:25 am

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Rob Ford has dismissed a report that suggests a reduction in speed limits to protect pedestrians and cyclist in Toronto as "nuts."


Asked if the city will drop speed limits, as suggested earlier this week by the city's chief medical officer of health Ford told reporters on Friday the idea is "nuts, nuts, nuts, nuts. No."


The report — Road to Health: Improving Walking and Cycling in Toronto — released by Dr. David McKeown recommends speed limits be reduced by as much as 20 km/h, saying the slower speed limits will protect pedestrians and cyclists.


If accepted the speed limit on Lakeshore Boulevard might be reduced to 40 km/h. On most residential streets traffic would be reduced to about 30 km/h.


Ford, who has many times referred to what he calls the 'war on the car' in Toronto, said the proposal is "absolutely ridiculous."


The mayor was also asked about a vote this week by Metrolinx, the provincial transportation agency, which gave the green light to four light rail projects on Toronto's streets.


Ford, whose vision of subways was soundly defeated by city council, said he's not giving up.


"I'm not going to stop fighting for subways. That's what the people want. That's what we'll continue to do."


The mayor also said a proposal for road tolls to pay for public transportation projects being floated by some on city councillor is not going to survive.


"I'm totally, 100 per cent opposed to toll roads. If they want to float it — I'm going to sink it."


The mayor also dismissed a new group that has emerged from within city council which describes itself as a centrist group.


Ford said contemptuously that there's "no middle" at city hall. City councillors, he said, are on "One (side) or the other."


But Ford said although they may make proposals for the city agenda, he remains in charge.


"I encourage them to meet and come and talk to me - and as you guys know I'm meeting with the councillors, as many as I can — and getting their input and telling [them] the direction I want to take the city."


Ford made the comments during a news conference to show off a new iPhone app which will allow residents to easily report vandalism, graffiti and potholes.


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Rob Ford has dismissed a report that suggests a reduction in speed limits to protect pedestrians and cyclist in Toronto as "nuts." Asked if the city will drop speed limits, as...
Rob Ford has dismissed a report that suggests a reduction in speed limits to protect pedestrians and cyclist in Toronto as "nuts." Asked if the city will drop speed limits, as...
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fromdnorth
OK I checked my micro-bio (didn't know I had one
1787 Fans
01:32 PM on 04/29/2012
It is nuts
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10 dolphins swimming
12 Fans
09:23 AM on 04/28/2012
On this subject, Rob Ford is correct.

What is really nuts is having trains that travel down the middle of the road and drop off passengers in the middle of the road.

Recently, I was driving with my kids and pointing out the stupidity and inherent dangers of this when lo and behold up ahead there was someone that had been killed in an incident involving the street car. How do I know they were dead? My kids pointed out the body bag.

This is similar to the story in the bible about the splint in your neighbours eye and the log in your own eye.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
shediac
212 Fans
01:00 PM on 04/28/2012
Try a visit to Portland Or. it might open your eyes. As for the bible quote...what's the point?
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dresdengirl
2587 Fans
08:07 AM on 05/01/2012
You whould really get out more and see how other people live.
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bubble popper
24 Fans
08:48 AM on 04/28/2012
Skip slowing down cars.
Tell people to walk faster!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
oxjr
278 Fans
 
01:15 AM on 04/28/2012
I lived on Avenue and Bloor. It is a shopping, restaurant area, Avenue is a downtown road that looks like a highway and people drive on it like a highway BUT IT IS DOWNTOWN. A friend of mine was hit using the crosswalk at Whole foods, I had dozens of near misses. There is no need to drive any faster than 40kmh once you are south of St Clair.
Permalink  |
HelmuthVon
25 Fans
10:31 AM on 04/28/2012
Agreed 100%
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paintitblacker
shit happens life goes on
121 Fans
09:57 PM on 04/27/2012
It's not Toronto that sucks , but rather the mayor of Toronto , and when he isn't busy being a suck ,he simply blows. far more suited to being the mayor of Sudbury,or Wa Wa.
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poster boy
22 Fans
07:26 PM on 04/27/2012
Nice leadership, Mr. Ford. Great stewardship. "Nuts. Nuts. Nuts. Nuts." This during the middle of CAMH's (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) "Mental Health Matters" campaign. Outstanding awareness and sensitivity, Mr. Mayor. Perhaps if I were to hurl an obvious insult of the sort that one such as yourself has likely had to endure for years and years, you might understand the hurtfulness of your use of words like that. I would say "shame", but in your case, Mr. Mayor, that was about four stops ago.
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nightfly4257
83 Fans
 
07:17 PM on 04/27/2012
Rob Ford is right he is nuts.
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Riley74
43 Fans
07:03 PM on 04/27/2012
"I'm not going to stop fighting for subways. That's what the people want. "

No Rob, that's what you want.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
arkymorgan
Nobody knows the trouble I've been...
837 Fans
06:44 PM on 04/27/2012
Why is it that when it's about services for the citizens of Toronto,the chorus is restraint, restraint, restraint...but when it comes to food and fast driving,all of a sudden,any form of self-control is seen as some kind of personal attack on Ford?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Paul Stacey
Kill guns, not children.
205 Fans
06:57 PM on 05/02/2012
"Cos it would defeat the purposes of those who have bought his allegiance./

oul
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Smearballs
34 Fans
06:12 PM on 04/27/2012
Sounds more like a way to make a lot of money in speeding tickets as a pose to making the roads safer
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poster boy
22 Fans
07:19 PM on 04/27/2012
Is everybody here as sick and tired as I am of this lame argument that rears its head any time anything to with parking or moving violations comes up - whether it's new regulations, redesignations of speed limits or (my personal favourite) the imposing of existing laws that it's just a tax grab? Well, if it is, I'd say that taxing disobedient drivers is far more suitable than any of the so-called sin taxes.
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Smearballs
34 Fans
07:35 PM on 04/27/2012
Actually Canadian speed limits are lower all around than many other countries I've visited and 30k limits is incredibly slow as you can cycle faster than that. I have spoken with Toronto police officers who agree it's all about the $. I am also a cyclist and I think if it's not a tax grab then why not spend on cycling infrastructure for bike safety rather than add to already congested traffic by slowing it down & flooding the already overbooked court system with petty speeding tickets.
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edgermanJ
93 Fans
11:04 PM on 04/27/2012
Lower speed limits are a blatant tax grab. However, it is the easiest tax in the world to avoid. Just obey the law. They also make the roads safer when people avoid the tax.
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CDNCIES
33 Fans
06:06 PM on 04/27/2012
I'm having a real hard time deciding who disgusts me more lately.....King Rob or King Harper??? One or the other seems to do it to me at least once a day lately.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
cinderelladressmaker
350 Fans
06:17 PM on 04/27/2012
I feel it too! F & F!
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nightfly4257
83 Fans
 
07:15 PM on 04/27/2012
Neither of them are royalty, they more like dictators.
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CDNCIES
33 Fans
07:28 PM on 04/27/2012
No, they many not be royalty but we sure are treated as peasants.
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therainisgone
MT
336 Fans
05:44 PM on 04/27/2012
rob you have a platform and an opinion ----and only one vote ---jabber away -----

but dont look behind you --cause if there is no one following --you aint leading
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turkeylurky
Just keepin it real........
140 Fans
05:36 PM on 04/27/2012
Rob, as usual, is correct, correct, correct, correct.
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edgermanJ
93 Fans
11:06 PM on 04/27/2012
looks like he has one vote. BTW, was it you who taught him to gobble gobble gobble?
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pinkibus
1812 Fans
05:14 AM on 04/28/2012
edgerman I have to thank you for the laugh. Rob Ford is so much like a turkey - no brain and endless gobbling.
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RODERICK098
218 Fans
05:24 PM on 04/27/2012
The worst mayor in the history of Toronto and that is saying a lot when you look at most of the characters that have held the position.
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Spanky McFarlane
ILLEGITIMUS NON CARBORUNDUM.
179 Fans
04:50 PM on 04/27/2012
OK Mr. Ford, Let's Step Up ! & 1 & 2 & 3....

OK Mr. Ford, Now lets 'Step Down',...(Please)
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