An intersection pedestrian signal is a kind of traffic signal where only the main street has signal heads for vehicles, and only the side street has signal heads for pedestrians. Vehicles coming from the side street always face a stop sign.
The signal's ground state is a green for the main street and a red for crossing pedestrians. The signal cycles only when the pedestrian pushbutton is pressed, usually either after a fixed length of time or during a window synchronized with neighbouring signals.
Intersection pedestrian signals are used as a cost-saving option when pedestrians, but not vehicles, are unacceptably delayed by main street traffic.
Can I cross the side street on foot when the main street has a red?
When entering a signalled intersection without pedestrian heads, pedestrians have to stop if the signal is showing a red (HTA s. 144 (25)). However, in the case of intersection pedestrian signals, the intersection controlled by the signal is often murkily defined, as "intersection" in the HTA (s. 144 (1)) can also refer to just a single crosswalk. If the signals and markings are laid out in a way that allows this interpretation, yes, you can.
In some cases, though, such as on Stanfield Road at the CPR tracks, where there are signal heads and stop lines on all sides of the intersection, you do have to obey the red light when crossing the side street.
Can I turn right on a red?
Again, this depends on what the law sees as the intersection controlled by the signal. If the crosswalk and all signal heads are after the intersection of the roadways, you can turn by virtue of the signalled intersection being after the unsignalled one you're turning at, and if there are signal heads and markings on all legs, you can also turn, treating the whole setup as one intersection. Notwithstanding any "no right on red" signs of course!
