Saskatoon city council approves safety audit of intersection where cyclist was killed
CBC
Tod Fox spoke through sobs as he told Saskatoon city council about the last time he saw his wife, Natasha Fox, a few hours before she was struck by a cement truck while cycling at a busy intersection in the city.
"Imagine for a second the beautiful faces you said goodbye to this morning," he said, with one of his and Natasha's two sons sitting beside him.
"Now imagine that was the last moment you got to spend with them, the last time you'd ever see them. That's my reality now."
City council heard from Tod and other cycling advocates Wednesday about cycling safety in the city and a proposed third-party road safety audit at the Wiggins Avenue and Circle Drive intersection where Natasha died on May 24.
WATCH | Tod Fox makes impassioned plea to Saskatoon city council following wife's death at busy intersection while cycling:
Council voted unanimously in favour of conducting the audit, using money designated for a capital expenditures reserve.
The motion was brought forward by Ward 6 Coun. Cynthia Block during a previous council meeting in the wake of Natasha's death.
"Every one of us who chooses to ride a bike in this city has people who worry about us every day, and who call us the moment they see a news release saying that there was an incident between somebody riding a bike and somebody in a car," Ward 2 Coun. Hilary Gough said.
The motion also asked for an update from administration on the city's Active Transportation Plan, including planned connections along College Drive and a budget option for an annual Road Safety Audit program.
Transportation director Jay Magus expects the safety audit report could be completed by the end of the year.
Tod told council their son asks why his mother died.
"I tell him it was an accident. What kills me is that one day I will have to explain to him that this accident could have been prevented," he said.
"I am here to make damn sure you know that we failed her."
As Tod finished speaking, some councillors wiped their eyes with tissues.
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
It was an historic moment at the Bora Laskin Law School graduation earlier this spring. Co-valedictorian Cassandra Spade gave her speech in Anishnaabemowin.
One year ago, though he didn't know it at the time, Rev. Don Beyers led the final service ever held inside what is now one of Toronto's lost treasures.
Before deciding to post unwanted items online, the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) are reminding people to make they're being as safe as possible.
The Island Nature Trust is celebrating the conservation of land that it says has deep historical, cultural and ecological significance along P.E.I.'s North Shore.
Prime Minister Mark Carney's main focus will be on project development as he sits down with provincial and territorial premiers this week.
An eight-year-old girl missing for over 20 hours on Random Island in Newfoundland and Labrador has been found safe, police have confirmed.
Mary Casement of Saint Andrews, N.B., says "Oh, that'll be in the Courier next week," was once a popular phrase in Charlotte County.
Quebec will ask the Supreme Court of Canada for permission to appeal a ruling that found a provincial law abolishing school boards violates English-language minority education rights.
Premier Scott Moe says Saskatchewan's ability to fight a plague of wildfires across the province is reaching the breaking point.
More Yellowhead County residents had to leave their homes Friday, after the county issued a new wildfire evacuation order for two communities and expanded an existing order.
First Nations leaders say hotels in Winnipeg and other major Manitoba cities are largely booked up as they continue to seek temporary housing for evacuees fleeing communities surrounded by wildfires.
Humans aren't the only creatures that stay relatively hidden when the weather is lousy.
The RCMP says air restrictions will be in place in two main areas during the upcoming G7 Leaders' Summit in Alberta this June and officials will make sure that no unwanted drones or aircraft enter airspace.