HomeMy WebLinkAboutOES 53-02
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REPORT TO THE
FINANCE & OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
42
Report Number: OES 53-02
Date: November 10, 2002
From:
Richard W. Holborn, P.Eng.
Division Head
Municipal Property & Engineering
Subject:
Road Watch Program
- Adoption & Funding Requirements
Recommendation:
1.
That Report OES 53-02 regarding the "Road Watch" program be received; and
2.
That City Council adopt the Road Watch program that is being proposed by the
Durham Regional Police Service; and
3.
That funding be established in account 2320-2409 to provide for the cost of the
initial program launch and an annual cost for program maintenance; and
4.
That staff be directed to include the Road Watch program as a new tool in the
Safer Streets Traffic Management Strategy, which is currently under
development.
Executive Summary: The Durham Regional Police Service is requesting that the
City of Pickering become an active partner by sponsoring the Road Watch program
within its geographical borders as a means to heighten the awareness of traffic safety.
The Road Watch program is a community-based initiative that utilizes awareness,
education and enforcement techniques to reduce the number of roadway hazards
related to dangerous or aggressive driving. One of the main goals of the program is to
improve motorist attitude by bringing unsafe driving practices to the attention of the
driver through Citizen Report Forms that are responded to by the Police Service.
The Road Watch program is currently in place in all of the municipalities within Durham
Region with the exception of the Town of Ajax and the City of Pickering. The program
has also been adopted in a number of other municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area
(GTA). Reports from the local municipalities indicate that the Road Watch program
plays an important role in their municipality as it encourages the public to get involved
with the on-going effort to make all roadways safer.
The Road Watch program is a police administered, volunteer run initiative requiring
funds from corporate sponsorship and municipal contributions.
Report OES 53-02
Date: November 10, 2002
43
Subject: Road Watch Program
Page 2
Financial Implications: The cost to launch the Road Watch program will be largely
dependant on the level of financial support that the Durham Regional Police Service
receives from local corporate sponsors. Initially, however, it is thought that the cost
which will need to be incurred by the City of Pickering will be limited to the purchase
and installation of standardized road watch signs estimated at $2500. If the program is
adopted, a funding source for this amount will need to be established in 2002 since no
current budget allocation exists in account 2320-2409.
On-going annual costs, subject to the level of corporate sponsorship, may also be
required to maintain the program. These specific costs cannot be determined at this
time but it is expected that the City's annual contribution would not exceed $4,000.00.
If this program is approved by City Council the amount will be included in the
Operations & Emergency Services Department annual current budget for 2003.
Background: Concerns related to neighbourhood vehicular traffic have been
increasing for many years in most municipalities throughout Ontario. In an effort to
deal with these concerns many municipalities have begun to adopt various new
education, engineering and enforcement techniques. The Road Watch program is one
of these new techniques, which combines the beneficial attributes of education and
enforcement. Developed in the Town of Caledon, the Road Watch program is a
community-based initiative, which encourages the public to report, through a specific
system, motorists who are driving with dangerous or aggressive styles.
The City of Pickering is of no exception to the problem of neighbourhood traffic
concerns. To deal with these types of issues the City has over the past number of years
installed pilot traffic calming measures, launched a Neighbourhood Traffic Watch
Program and also initiated the preparation of a Safer Streets Traffic Management
Strategy. Although all of these techniques provide some relief to the standard police
enforcement component, they do not always meet with the high expectations of the
community. The Road Watch program can be considered another important "tool" that
citizens, staff and Councillors can use to deal with neighbouhood traffic issues.
While it is true that the existing Neighbourhood Traffic Watch and the Road Watch
Program are quite similar in their focus, the Road Watch Program is much less labour
intensive for the average concerned resident. Both programs include the reporting of
dangerous or aggressive driving styles, but the Road Watch Program does not require
a group of concerned residents to operate the radar message board equipment. With
the Road Watch program any resident can simply fill out a standardized form which
when submitted will be followed-up by a group of volunteers that are administered by
the Police Service. The Road Watch program cannot resolve every situation but it may
compliment the City's existing Neighbourhood Traffic Watch program and could
represent another important tool in the City's Safer Streets Traffic Management
Strategy.
44
Report OES 53-02
Date: November 10, 2002
Subject: Road Watch Program
Page 3
The Road Watch program will require the formation of committee, chaired by the
Durham Regional Police Service, which includes community volunteers, members of
Council and municipal staff. The committee's main responsibilities include budget
fundraising, developing a program launch campaign and maintaining on-going program
awareness and education. It is anticipated that the City of Pickering will only playa
minor role in the Road Watch program by providing annual financial sponsorship and
by helping to promote public involvement.
Funds raised for the program will be used to manufacture and install road watch signs,
purchase supplies, construct report form drop-off boxes, mail police response letters
and carryout advertising. Sponsorship is expected from such major organizations as
Transport Canada, Canadian Automobile Association, McDonalds, Mothers Against
Drunk Driving and various other local companies. All corporate sponsorship will be
advertised on the reverse side of the Citizen Report Forms.
The Road Watch program has already been adopted by all of the municipalities in
Durham Region with the exception of the Town of Ajax and the City of Pickering.
Representatives from the Durham Regional Police Service made a presentation at the
May 27, 2002 Finance & Operations Committee Meeting to explain the Road Watch
Program. An open public meeting information session was held on October 16, 2002
hosted by the Police Service which was well attended. The opportunity currently exists
to partner with the Town of Ajax and the Durham Regional Police Service on a
successful program which City staff support as an alternate community based solution
to improve roadway safety.
Attachments:
1.
Road Watch Program Outline
Prepared By:
Approved / Endorsed By:
r
s~
Supervisor,
Traffic Engineering & Waste Management
Ever. t unt
Director,
Operations & Emergency Services
Report OES 53-02
Date: November 10, 2002
45
Subject: Road Watch Program
Page 4
Submitted By:
C S B: csbftraffic/rtc-Road Watch
Attachments
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration of
Pickering City Council
/'
"
.
ATTACHMENT. / TOREPORT# DES 5 3-o~
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46
..
Starting A Road Watch Program
In
Your Community
~
ROAD WATCH@
.' ,
ATTACHMENT.
TOREPORT. 0135 5 ~-{)'2.;
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47
MAKE YOUR ROADS SAFER
&
IA\
ROAD WATCH"
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
IN YOUR COMMUNITY
ATTACHMENT# ¡ TOREPORTt 08 S 5_5 .-O~
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48
GOAL OF ROAD WATCH
TO HELP REDUCE:
../ MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISIONS
J RESULTING PROPERTY DAMAGE
J PERSONAL INJURIES
J FATALITIES
END RESULT IS-
MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER
¡ GS 53--DA
ATTACHMENT#---L- TO REPORT# 0 -
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49
ROAD WATCH IS BASED
ON:
AWARENESS
ROAD WATCH@
EDUCA TION
ENFORCEMENT
, ð'P# Des 53-o~
ATTACHMENT# TO REPOr"
5 of .;2..1
50
HOW?
THROUGH A COMMUNITY
COMMITMENT TO:
AWARENESS
,( getting the message out
EDUCA TION
,( doing presentations at schools and
community groups
ENFORCEMENT
,( citizens identifying aggressive drivers
through a citizen reporting system
f Ô t3. S 53 --O;.t,
ATTACHMENT#--L- TO REPORT#
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51
HOW TO GET STARTED
. support of police and elected
officials is paramount
. hold a public meeting
. form a community committee
. enlist local media support
. contact your area M.T.D.
representative
ATTACHMENT#1 rOREPORT# Des 5).<J~",
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52
YOUR ROAD WATCH
COMMITTEE
SHOULD HAVE REPRESENTATION
FROM:
J members of public
J police liaison
J member of council
J member of town-works dept.
.r identify key stakeholders in your
community that have an interest in
road safety
ATTACHMENT# I TOREPORT# ðES 53-o~
. ~ of ;1..\
RESPONSIBiliTIES OF
YOUR COMMITTEE
!)3~'
....
.t budget
.t fundraising
J signs
.t drop boxes
J computer, printer, data base
.t awareness campaign
J community kick off
J ongoing awareness and education
J ensuring community support
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ATTACHMENT# TO REPORT'
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54
ROLE OF POLICE
V active committee member
V run licence plate numbers
V secrecy oath for civilian volunteers
V offer local site/space for Road Watch
computer
V sign awareness / complaint letters
V 2nd offence - officer attempts to call
registered owner of complaint
V 3rd offence - officer drops off letter
personally, lay charges if appropriate'
V letterhead / postage for form letters
V answers general inquiries, tele. contact
ATTACHMENT# I fOREPaRT. OFS 5 3-0.~
/0 of .21
55
WHY ROAD WATCH IS GOOD FOR
YOUR COMMUNITY
V community based
V community committee
V community completes citizen report
forms
V community picks up and processes
forms
V community is held accountable by its
own members to drive safely
V community members provide ongoing
local awareness and education
V supported through community
sponsorship .
V community is responsible for the
program's ongoing success
END RESULT = SAFER ROAiJS IN YOUR
COMMUNITY
ATTACHMENT# / TO REPORT# Ó e S
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Durham Regional Police Service
53..0 À-
. D. Denson. Deputy Chief. Administration
. J. Adams. Deputy Chief. Openmo"s
«Processing_Date»
«Owners_First_Name» «Owners_Surname»
«Owners_Address»
«Owners_Town City», «Province»
«Owners - Postal_Code»
Dear «Owners_first_Name» «Owners_Surname»:
Subject: Road Watch Incident ##<dncident»
On «Incident_Date» at «Incident_Time» a second incident was reported involving a «Co loUD)
«Model» «Make» bearing Ontario licence platè nwnber «Plate_». The report states that this vehicle
was observed «What_Happened» on «Incident_Location» in Scugog Township. A check of the
veJúcle files at the Ministry of Transportation indicates that you are the registered owner of this
vehicle.
.>
This incident is brought to your attention in the interests of road safety, as this type of aggressive
driving must be discouraged. If you were not the operator of the vehicle at the time of the incident,
we ask that you bring this matter to the attention of that individual. A police officer will be contacting
you to discuss these incidents.
Road Watch is a community initiative in the Township ofScugog and is operated in conjunction with
local detachments of Durham Regional Police and the Ontario Provincial Police. It involves the active
participation of citizens in several commW1Íty safety programs including the identification of
aggressive drivers. Citizen Report forms can be picked up or deposited in secured drop boxes
conveniently located throughout the Township.
Your co-operation in making our streets and highways safer would greatly contribute to the goal of
reducing collisions and injuries within our community.
Thank you,
Inspector-Chuck Mercier
North Durham Community Police
16100 Old Simcoe St.
Port Peny, Ontario
L9L IP3
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77 Centre St. North, Oshawa, Ont. II G .487 Oshawa (9051 579.1520 Toronto (9051 683.9100
OAP 328 REV 08J97 Toll Free (905.705) 1-888-579.1520 Web Site www.police.durham.on.ca
Fax (9051 .433.5053
ATTACHMENT' I 1OaEPORT#~ eS 63--0;
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WHITBY
- launched June 1998
5?
SCUGOG
- launched September 1998
CLAR/NGTON
- launched June 1999
OSHAWA
- launched May 2000
UXBRIDGE
- launched October 2000
BROCK
- launched December 2001
,
ATTACHMENT# i TOREPORT# or; S 5 3-o~
13 of :2..1
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ROAD WATCH@
.. ONTARIO MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION
RESOURCE BOOKLET
ROAD WATCH PROGRAM
ATTACHMENT# I TOREPORT# OGS S3..o~
----EL of :11
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Congratulations on your successful application for the Road Watch Program!
We are delighted your group has made a commitment to road user safety through public
education. We hope you will find the information below will provide you with a
framework for operating this program in the community. And of course, Road Watch as
well as your Regional Planner can assist you with advice, support, and information
about how this program has successfully operated in other communities in Ontario.
About the Program
The Road Watch program, developed in Caledon, Ontario and adopted by many
communities throughout southern Ontario, is a community-based initiative that utilizes
awareness, education, and enforcement techniques to reduce the number of fatal
vehicle collisions as a result of dangerous, aggressive driving. Road Watch encourages
increased public participation by identifying the dangerous, aggressive driver in order to
reduce motor vehicle collisions and fatalities.
One of the goals is to improve driver attitude. Awareness of unsafe driving practices
and promoting general road safety is accomplished through seminars, media coverage,
advertising, public speaking engagements and promotional material made available to
the community.
Education is promoted at several levels. In Caledon, education of safety on the roads is
delivered to school children in the classroom through educational kits developed by
school teachers. The primary objective of these kits is to provide young people with the
skills necessary to be safe road users.
At the Primary Level, education efforts have focused on the promotion of seat belt use
by children through the use of a horse puppet named "Buck", who reminds children to
"Buckle Up" or risk being bucked from the car.
The Junior Program concentrates on road rules and bike safety. As peer pressure is an
important consideration at this age, strategies are offered to begin to help children cope
with peer pressure.
The Intermediate Program presents students with different role-playing situations
designed to help them with some decision-making strategies that they may need to use.
Objectives
. Reduce the number of fatal vehicle collisions as a result of dangerous,
aggressive driving.
. Increase awareness of unsafe driving practices, improve driver attitude and
promote general road safety.
60
ATTACHMENT#--L,- TOREPORT# ðE:~ 53-{)À,
15" of .).1
Partners
Incorporating a range of partners who share an interest in road user safety increases
the scope of the program, and invites a higher level of community commitment. There
are some partners who are necessary to the implementation of the program, and others
who add value.
Critical Partners (those you must have on side)
Municipal Council and staff
Police
County/Regional Officials
Public Health
Concerned Citizens
Value-Added Partners (those you should consider as part of your team)
Public Health
Local Business
Emergency Medical Service/Fire Service
Education
Insurance
How the Program Works
Road Watch provides citizens with a direct opportunity to participate in a program to
improve road safety in their community. Public awareness of safety on the roads
through Road Watch assists police services in identifying dangerous aggressive driving
behaviours and "hot spots" on area roads. Citizen Report Forms have been designed to
give police the necessary information to appropriately deal with acts of dangerous,
a9"gressive driving.
Motorists are asked to complete a Citizen Report Form when they observe a motorist
demonstrating unsafe driving behaviour. Secure Road Watch Drop Box locations are
conveniently located throughout the community. The police service retrieves the forms,
verifies accuracy and, if appropriate, sends an "information letter" to the registered
vehicle owner explaining that their vehicle was observed being operated in an unsafe
manner at a specific time and location - bringing the error to their attention. If the
owner wishes, they can contact the police for further discussion. After an owner
receives a number of reports, the police service may make a personal call to that
individual regarding the problem. Any escalation of intervention is at the discretion of
the police service. .
ATTACHt-iENli;c.... I ìor';Y,ìK¡'~¡ 085 53.o.~
/t., of~ . -.....--
In addition, a motorist can use the Citizen Report Form to help police identify "hot spots"
in the community where they feel unsafe driving habits are common occurrences.
61
Citizens who submit the forms are asked to not only sign them, but to make them as
complete as possible. This helps safeguard the system against abuse. The forms are
for statistical use only and are held in the strictest of confidence by the police service.
The Road Watch Program is advertised by use of road signs, window stickers,
letterhead and information brochures. The Road Watch sign is a warning to drivers that
local citizens do not tolerate dangerous aggressive driving.
Implementation
To determine if the Road Watch Program is suitable for a community, a traffic problem
must be clearly identified and stated. This can be achieved through police reports,
motor vehicle collision reports and public consultation through surveys. When the
problem is identified, the next step is to review the recurring or repetitive nature of the
problem and what practices are being taken to address it and why they are not working,
before new strategies are developed.
While some communities have existing traffic safety programs, the implementation of
the Road Watch Program must be determined according to community needs.
Programs could certainly run parallel, however, integrating programs may dilute the
highlights of each program.
Strategies should be tailored to the needs of the particular community. An existing
committee may already be able to assume a leadership role, such as a community
policing committee, service group or church groups. Concerned community members
can begin by involving the municipal representatives for direction and organization to
strike a new committee. Even just a few people can begin by contacting local
government representatives and police to garner support for Road Watch. Often these
are the people who can put you in touch with other people that share similar concerns
for road safety in your community. Resources for a founding committee are likely to be
found in established community groups. Presentation of the problem(s) identified can
be taken to groups such as:
. Community policing committee
. Municipal roads department
. Injury prevention associations/ health
. School groups - PTO
. Community groups
...
ATTACHMENTt;:--'...- TOREPORT# óes 53-0:>-
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Keeping the committee structure flexible and readily adapted to community needs
encourages participation even if only for limited commitments. The size and structure of
the committee can vary according to the problem-solving process unique to the
community. Once a focus is established, determine which aspects of Road Watch are
best suited to solving your particular road safety problem:
. Awareness
. Education
. Enforcement
- an information program for the community
- a program geared to safety concerns of school children
- a program to identify dangerous, aggressive drivers and traffic hot
spots
The Road Watch Program is not labour intensive for Police to administer. While there
are some clerical functions such as licence plate searches and necessary reports, the
program eliminates the conventional method of driving complaints. Some of the funds
raised for the program can be used to cover the expense of postage for mailing of police
response letters. Using the Citizen Report Form provides a concise means of collecting
information, especially in large urban areas to efficiently handle daily complaints from
citizens. Should a question of accuracy of information be received, the Traffic Officer or
Community Liaison Officer would clarify such concerns.
Confidentiality of collected information is assured through legislation that prevents the
unauthorized release of information which is submitted on the Citizen Report Form.
The OPP Community Policing Development Centre has a newly developed "Policing for
Results Survey" which can be used for program evaluation. The surveying procedure
has community members contacting residents via telephone and entering survey
answers into an electronic interface. The information can be forwarded to a pre-
programmed database for analysis. For information contact:
OPP Community Policing Development Centre
77 Memorial Ave.
Orillia, Ontario L3V 7V3
(705) 329-6160 Fax (705) 329-6140
Suggested Budget Allocation
The complete Road Watch Program need not be implemented initially. Initial funding for
start-up can be kept to a minimum by using community resources such as:
. Police
. Municipal Government
. Ministry of Transportation
. Local Business
..
ATTACHMEN1#__l ¡OREPORT#",Ó~~,.. 53-0:(
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6:3
To formally launch the program, significant fundraising must be considered. Support
could be found with the assistance of the municipality, Chamber of Commerce and
professional contacts. Cost factoring should include the production and installation of
road signs, mailing (report forms, sticker, program literature, etc.,) to community
households.
For example, the Town of Caledon's costs to implement Road Watch in 1993 was
$20,000. Your community costs will vary according to demographics.
Working with committee members and interested parties can be a strong source for
raising funds, and suggestions for innovative approaches and contacts that may be able
to provide additional support and sponsorship.
In-Kind Support
Local businesses often support the goal of making the community's roads safer. You
may want to consider asking for businesses for resources to support and promote public
awareness of the program. E.g. car dealers, franchised "fast-food" outlets, local
manufacturers, insurance agencies/brokers.
Don't Forget
Please recognize the Ontario Ministry of Transportation for its support on all public
education materials.
A report to MTO is required as part of your agreement in accepting the funding. The
report should include:
../ Dates and locations of unit deployment
../ Copies of news releases and public education materials developed
../ Statistics regarding number participants at events etc
<. List of other supporters of the event/program/activity;
../ List of expenses related to the program, and a list of income including financial and
in-kind support (such as free advertising);
ATTACHMENT#_./ I'.
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OES S3-()~
64
RESOURCES:
REGIONAL PLANNERS
Northwestern Region
Tom Marinis
Ministry of Transportation
P.O. Box 1177
615 South James Street
Thunder Bay, ON P7C 4X9
(807) 473-2198
Central Region West
Pat Van Maurik
Ministry of Transportation
Rm. 212, Bldg. A
1201 Wilson Avenue
Downsview ON M3M 1 J8
(416) 235-4808
Northern Region
Jeff Griffith
Ministry of Transportation
447 McKeown Ave Suite 301
North Bay, Ontario PI B 8L2
(705) 497-5453
Central Region East
Sharon Marsh
Ministry of Transportation
Rm. 212, Bldg. A
1201 Wilson Avenue
Downsview ON M3M 1 J8
(416) 235-5118
Southwestern Region
John Warkentin
Ministry of Transportation
659 Exeter Road
London, ON N6E IL3
(519) 873-4420
Eastern Region
Paul AI/ore
Ministry of Transportation
Postal Bag 4000
355 Counter Street
Kingston, ON K7L 5A3
(613) 545-4608
..
ATTACHMENTc.....1 TOREPORT#.Qg$ 53-òL-
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RESOURCES
ROAD USER SAFETY ORGANIZATIONS
Overall Safety/Road Safety
Canada Safety Council
Canadian Automobile Association
District Health Units/Boards of Health
Farm Safety Association
Infant & Toddler Safety Association
Insurance Bureau of Canada
Ontario Brain Injury Assoc.
Ontario Medical Association
Ontario Ministry of Transportation (publications)
Ontario Safety League
Safe Kids Canada
SmartRisk Foundation
Transport Canada
Drinking & Driving
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
Canadians for Safe and Sober Driving
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Concerns Canada
Council on Drug Abuse
Health Canada
MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
Ontario Community Council on Impaired Driving
Ontario Students Against Drunk Driving
Child Restraint/Seat Belt
Infant & Toddler Safety Association
Bicycle Safety
Canadian Bike Helmet Coalition
Canadian Cycling Association
Ontario Cycling Association
Truck Safety
Ontario Trucking Association
Transportation Safety Association of Ontario
Senior Safe tv
Canadian Association of Retired Persons
(613) 739-1535
(613) 247-0117 or local listings
check local listings
1-800-361-8855
(519) 570-0181
(416) 362-2031
1-800-263-5404
(416) 599-2580
(416) 235-3473
(905) 625-0556
(416) 813-6766
(416) 463-9878
1-800-333-0371
(613) 235-4048
(905) 793-4233
(416) 595-6059
(416) 293-3400
(416) 763-1491
(613) 954-5995
1-800-953-9984
(416) 485-4411
1-877-70-0SAID
(519) 570-0181
(613) 224-4144
(613) 248-1353
(416) 426-7242
(416) 249-7401
(416) 242-4771
(416) 363-8748
*'
ATTACHI'1EN.rt~_^.J. 1 0 REPO~tT, ðES 53..02-
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School Bus Safety
Ontario School Bus Association
Check with local school boards/school bus operators
In-Line Skating
In-Line Skating Association
S1. John's Ambulance, National Headquarters
Railway Safety
Railway Association of Canada/Operation Lifesaver
CP Police
CN Police
Aggressive Driving
Police/OPP
Local Organizations:
Some local sources for information might include:
. Insurance companies
. District Health Units/Boards of Health
. Hospitals
. Driver educators
. Police/O.P.P.
. Cycling/in-line skating clubs
(416) 695-9965
1-800-56-SKA TE
(613) 236-7461
(613) 564-8094
(416) 362-6924
1-888-888-5909
contact your local detachment