WINNIPEG -- A Winnipeg city councillor is proposing a new way the city can use photo radar revenue to eventually remove it from school zones.

Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface) submitted a motion to the Riel committee meeting, proposing the city’s executive policy committee direct the Winnipeg Police Service give a report in time for the 2022 budget on creating a new account for photo radar revenue.

The motion specifically calls on police to examine, “The reallocation of funding equal to the City’s net portion of revenues generated by the photo radar program in school zones from the Winnipeg Police Service budget to the Public Works Department.”

“I believe traffic calming is about safety,” Allard said. “So, we are going to get this report about what option we have. I think there are some opportunities to look at where the hotspots are and can we do some more improvements where they are.”

Allard said under the Highway Traffic Act, photo radar revenue must be spent on either safety measures or on police.

The new account would be used for safety improvements and design changes in and around school zones to “eliminate the need for photo enforcement,” the motion reads.

Allard’s motion said locations with a high number of speeding tickets being issued shows higher volumes of speeding are taking place, and photo radar is not reducing the number of speeders.

“What’s become clear to me through various media reports is that there isn’t a big reduction in the number of tickets in specific locations,” he said. “So, I think in the photo enforcement program in particular, there are opportunities to look at where those hotspots are and look at potential improvements to the street.”

Coun. Markus Chambers, who is also the Winnipeg Police Board Chair, said it is worth exploring but he has some concerns.

"I don't know what more that we can do," said Chambers.

He mentioned the city is already putting up donated flashing lights in school zones to warn drivers and that the province is reviewing the entire photo enforcement program.

He also noted that the program will cost money to run and the plan would leave a big hole in the police budget.

"And if it then results in longer calls, longer waits in terms of calls for service or reduction of staffing compliments, that's something I would be very much concerned with."

Mayor Brian Bowman said he hasn't looked into Allard's request yet, including the budget question.

"That's the kind of detail that I'd be looking to see what's available to us right now," said Bowman.

Allard noted there would be budget implications, but he said the money should be used with safety in mind.

"That's where people are, you know, really concerned, in terms of speeds and drivers. Their kids are there and we want to see kids walking to school," said Allard.

Allard added there are several traffic calming measures the city has been looking at, including speed humps, narrowing the streets, having the curb bump out and even putting down flower pots.

The motion will be discussed during the April 6 meeting. 

- With files from CTV's Jeff Keele.