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Make BԪַultra-wealthyBԪַ speeders pay greater fines, says Saanich councillor

Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff hopes provincial government will take bold proposals to heart
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Saanich councillor Teale Phelps Bondaroff is pushing to make higher-income earners pay more for traffic violations. (Black Press Media file photo)

One of SaanichBԪַs newly elected councillors is leading a push to make higher-income earners pay heftier traffic tickets.

Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff is proposing fines should be based on how much money a person makes, rather than a flat rate. ItBԪַs just one of four motions introduced at a Jan. 9 council meeting which he hopes will make it to the floor of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention this September.

BԪַYou donBԪַt want people with low incomes being absolutely broken by a ticket BԪַ having their ability to afford groceries that month dramatically impacted, or not being to afford rent BԪַ at the same time, you donBԪַt want the ultra-wealthy to have carte blanche to break the law,BԪַ Phelps Bondaroff told the Saanich BԪַ.

BԪַThe idea is to exert the same deterrent force on all drivers,BԪַ he said. BԪַBecause $100 means something different to someone who makes $35,000 a year compared to someone who makes half a million, you really need a fines system based on income to exert the same deterrent force on people.BԪַ

Phelps Bondaroff, a first time councillor, also wants the province to allow municipalities to implement traffic enforcement cameras on local roads BԪַ which he says are an effective tool for decreasing the cost enforcement while increasing compliance. If the motion passes the council hurdle, he wants to ask the B.C. government to reverse its effective ban on municipalities installing red-light and speeding cameras.

While the two motions are likely to stir up a bit of controversy around Greater Victoria and beyond, he says his suggestions arenBԪַt anything new. Countries like Finland, Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden have already implemented similar systems and all boast impressive road safety records, according to Phelps Bondaroff.

He admits that there are practical challenges which will need to be taken into consideration BԪַ such as individuals who hide their income in shell corporations, or people who simply come from a wealthy family.

In order for any of the resolutions to be considered by the UBCM convention, they must first pass through Saanich council and the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) convention. If approved at the UBCM, the provincial government will be obligated to respond.

Premier David Eby called the proposal an BԪַinteresting oneBԪַ in a press conference last week.

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Austin Westphal

About the Author: Austin Westphal

Austin Westphal is the newest member to join the Saanich BԪַ team.
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