The City of Toronto quietly backtracked on plans to install cameras to catch drivers who “block the box,” along with other infractions at busy intersections, in the wake of the province’s ban on automated speed cameras last month.

Mayor Olivia Chow told reporters at an unrelated press conference Saturday morning that the province “wouldn’t allow” the city to go ahead with the planned traffic camera pilot meant to ease congestion in downtown Toronto.

The city planned to put the cameras up last summer, first to gather data on driver behaviour, then to dish out automatic fines to drivers who impede traffic, travel in transit-only lanes or make illegal turns. The city would have needed provincial approval to start issuing these tickets.

The mayor said she supported the cancelled proje

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