Stephen Blais, Catholic school board trustee for Orléans-Cumberland, has requested that the City of Ottawa deal with the issue of speeding in front of schools in the National Capital Region.

Under the Highway Traffic Act, Blais is asking that the City implement community safety zones to help with speeding.

"I take the safety of our children very seriously, which is why I am requesting that the city employ the community safety zone to protect our children," he said. "By doubling the normal fine, along with aggressive enforcement, I hope to send a message to speeders that they are not wanted in our community."

Municipal councils are given the authority, under section 214.1 of the Highway Traffic Act, to designate a part of a highway under its jurisdiction as a safety zone if, in their opinion, public safety is of special concern on that part of the highway. With the implementation of a community safety zone, speeding fines double.

Blais is asking that the city designate a community safety zone within a 1 kilometre radius of all elementary schools in Ottawa.

"Motorists speeding in school zones are endangering the lives of children who walk to and from school everyday," added Blais, who also serves as the president of the Convent Glen Community Association. "The safety of our children should be of great importance to our entire community."

With problems of speeding at high volumes at Convent Glen Catholic School, the school's parents' council is starting a program to educated on the dangers of speeding in school zones.

"We've noticed a significant increase in speeding in front of Convent Glen," said Andrei Kossatkine, chair of the Convent Glen Catholic parents council. "We are looking forward to working with trustee Blais and the city to educate local residents about the dangers of speeding in school zone."

Orléans City Councillor Bob Monette said the problems of speeding at Convent Glen have been so high, that he met with local police, the traffic department and the school's parents' council to discuss the issue.

While he commends Blais for the proposal, logistically, said the east end councillor, he doesn't know if it's "doable."

But he will support it either way.

"It's very proactive because we are always concerned with the safety of our children," said Monette. "But I think there's a worthwhile cause in having some dialogue over it and I will do my best to gain support at the council level."

Blais motion will be debated at the next Ottawa Catholic School Board meeting on April 14th.