Father of Jasmin Hanif Speaks to City Council, Calls for Vision Zero and Safer Streets – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

June 6, 2017
The father of the late Jasmin Hanif, Shakeel Hanif, addressed City Council’s Public Works Committee this morning calling on Councillors to make Hamilton’s streets safer.
10-year-old Jasmin Hanif died after being struck by a vehicle on Evans Road. She was crossing the street in front of her home.
Hanif opened by calling on Council to adopt Vision Zero – a declaration that road related deaths are not acceptable, combined with implementing changes necessary to prevent road deaths.
Minutes before Hanif stood in front of Council, Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson delivered a blistering criticism of Vision Zero as Council received the minutes of the Hamilton Cycling Committee. (VIDEO)
Ferguson described Vision Zero as a “anti-car” initiative, criticizing the Cycling Committee’s language that included vehicle pollution as causing the premature death of over 100 Hamiltonians, and those who died from collisions as being “crushed to death”.
Councillor Tom Jackson wanted reassurance that receiving the minutes did not commit Council to Vision Zero, saying he is awaiting a staff report on the concept.
After much debate, Council received the minutes.
Shakeel Hanif was the second delegation of the meeting, and very professionally stood in front of Council. At times, he had to hold back his emotions; he daughter died exactly three weeks prior.
“What they did was play Russian roulette with my daughter’s life”, Shakeel Hanif told Councillors, referring years of deferral on road safety. “If we act now maybe we can save another life”.
Most Councillors paid close attention during Hanif’s delegation. Afterwards, each individually offered condolences to Hanif and his family.
Waterloo Councillor Judi Partridge said changes will be implement on Evans Road immediately.  (Youtube link to featured video of Hanif’s delegation)
After Council’s discussion of a staff report on road safety, Council debated two-way conversion and traffic calming on Queen Street in Ward 2.
Councillor Lloyd Ferguson came out swinging against traffic calming in the Lower City. Expressing anger at the Wards 1, 2, and 3 Councillors who for the Ward Boundary Review, Ferguson declared he will not support any more changes to Lower City roads.
“I am getting really tired of parochial Lower City Councillors wanting a turn them all into local streets our arterial roads! If you don’t wanna live on a busy street, then don’t don’t buy a house there you don’t expect the rest of the city to adjust the streets to accommodate your personal needs, when you made the decision to move there in the first place!”
In the end, other than changes to Evans Road, Council made no commitments.