Only approval from the Premier Doug Ford government stands between non-police “traffic agents” and Toronto’s busiest intersections.

Members of Toronto’s police services board unanimously approved a city council plan Wednesday to replace $95-per-hour paid-duty police officers, keeping traffic flowing safely through downtown intersections in rush hour, with “special constables” earning half as much.

The plan, years in the making, will now go to Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, whose consent is required before the measure in Mayor John Tory’s anti-congestion plan can be implemented.

Jones’s office recently told the Star: “We have not received an official request from the City of Toronto and therefore cannot pre-empt the outcome.”

City staff suggested in 2016 using non-police employees to unclog intersections where people often ignore signals. A pilot project using paid-duty police officers was deemed very effective.

Tory vowed what he called “traffic wardens” would be at intersections by early 2018 but the required provincial approval never came. Making them special constables, akin to TTC constables and courthouse security staff, means provincial approval — but no legislative change — is required.

In a statement after the meeting Mayor John Tory, a member of the police board, said: “I am confident that the current provincial government is ready to move much more quickly to ensure this program is in place.”

David Rider is the Star's City Hall bureau chief and a reporter covering Toronto politics. Follow him on Twitter: @dmrider

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