To date in 2019, over 1100 pedestrians in Toronto have been hit by cars and nearly 40 killed. Vision Zero Toronto, a five-year plan beginning in 2017, aims to “reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries on Toronto’s streets with over 50 safety measures across our six emphasis areas.” City Councillor James Pasternak (Ward 6), the current Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee responsible for overseeing Vision Zero, recently took to social media to promote high-visibility clothing as a potential solution for these traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries.

This victim-blaming rhetoric stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the issue and history of road safety in Toronto. Vision Zero reports make no mention of reactive measures like high-visibility clothing. Instead, the plan focuses on long-term, data-driven solutions such as road redesign and traffic speeds.

Through his comments on social media and interview on CBC Metro Morning, Pasternak has made it clear that he does not understand the objectives or priorities of Vision Zero. Toronto is facing an epidemic injuries and deaths on our streets and needs a champion on Council to ensure that the initiatives of Vision Zero are enacted and no more lives are put at risk. Pasternak has shown that he is not this champion.

We, the undersigned, request that Councillor James Pasternak resign or be immediately removed from his position as Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee for the City of Toronto.