IllegalSigns.ca found a new ally in councillor Howard Moscoe. The verbose politician from North York is asking for a freeze on sign permits throughout North York until the City’s licensing and standards inspectors have cleaned up the illegal signs that dot the 401 and 400 highways. From today’s Toronto Star:
The City of Toronto should crack down on some 40 “illegal” billboards that face highways 401 and 400, says Councillor Howard Moscoe.
Commercial property owners have been selling their advertising rights to third-party advertisers, which is illegal, Moscoe told reporters yesterday. It’s okay for a property owner to advertise the business, but not to sell that space for signs flogging consumer products, he said.
Both provincial and city rules prohibit third-party highway billboards, but enforcement is left to the city.
…“We don’t get huge complaints about signs along the 401, but it’s a question of respect for the law,” he said. “What’s the point in having laws if in fact you aren’t enforcing them?”
Moscoe is calling for a freeze on issuing any new sign permits in North York, which includes big stretches of the 401 and 400, to give time for the bureaucracy to come up with an enforcement strategy.
“What I want them to do is to develop a system so that the companies cannot take advantage of the city. What we need is a sign permit issuance system that’s foolproof, that doesn’t allow these violations.”
photo by Stefan Powell
5 comments
People don’t complain because they don’t know they are illegal. We hate them, but we assume they must be legal if they are up there.
Damn Moscoe is a piece of work, and a loose cannon most of the time, but at least he seems like he gives a %$#^.
Moscoe is very effective. I’d hate to be an illegal sign in his area.
He’s been around for a long time stirring things up. John Filion is another effective councillor from the former City of North York. He’s been fighting signs in his area for years.
Both make a difference at City Hall, but both are getting older. Who will replace them when they leave politics?
What is the difference between first party or 3rd? if the sign is up what difference does it make what it says!!
What a colossal waste of tax payer dollars again!!!
NOT ALL SIGNS ARE USED TO ADVERTIZE, FOR INSTANCE I’M WILL TO PAY SOMEBODY TO INFORM THE CANADIAN PUBLIC THAT OUR CANADIAN SOLDERS ARE DIEING (AFGANAISTAN) TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF AFGAN. MEN TO RAPE THEIR WOMEN.I’M NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY POLITICAL PARTY, JUST PISSED OFF THAT CANADIANS DON’T HAVE THE BALLS TO DEMAND ACTION FROM OUR LEADERS.
FREE SPEECH?