Yay! I live in Victoria, and it's nice to see a mention.

Having said that, I can verify in my city that most intersections you really do have to push the button - the light won't change without it. However some of them also emit a 'beep' noise when pushed.

Having lived at an intersection where I could hear -all-the-buttons-being-hammered-dear-god-make-it-stop, please, please, for the love of all that is holy, don't hammer the button. One push is enough.

Regardless, is it a bad thing to have a few fake buttons? I feel this xkcd is worth remembering. Having programmed a simulation crosswalk, I am sympathetic.