Ontario bans automated speed enforcement cameras

Doug Ford's Ontario PC government made the widely expected move to ban automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras in municipalities across the province, calling the devices a "cash grab."

Ford was joined by Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation, in Vaughan on Thursday to announce new legislation that will be introduced next month, banning the use of speed cameras Ontario-wide and "ensuring they are no longer used as a form of revenue."

"At a time when governments at all levels should be doing everything they can to lower costs and make life more affordable, too many municipalities are using speed cameras as a cash grab," said Premier Doug Ford. 

"Enough is enough. Instead of making life more expensive by sending speeding tickets to drivers weeks after the fact, we're supporting road-safety measures that will prevent speeding in the first place, keep costs down and keep our streets safe."

Over 700 of the devices have been installed in 40 municipalities in the province since 2019, though debate about ASEs reached a fever pitch this year amid widespread cases of vandalism and destruction targeting the cameras.

In place of speed cameras, the province aims to establish a new fund that would help municipalities identify alternatives to ASE cameras, noting "proactive traffic-calming" options including speed bumps, roundabouts, and other modifications to roadways, along with signage.

Safety advocates, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, and even Toronto Police have spoken out in favour of the devices. However, Ford's allies, and even former adversary and current Vaughan mayor, Steven Del Duca, welcomed the announcement and thanked Ford for "providing clarity on the speed camera program."

Kitchener's Mayor was among the municipal leaders to take the podium in support of Ford's move, and reiterated that his city — which consistently ranks among the most dangerous for drivers in Ontario — does not want to implement speed enforcement cameras.

"Municipal speed cameras have become nothing more than a tool for raising revenue," claimed Sarkaria, downplaying the safety benefits of the cameras.

The new legislation — if passed — would come with requirements for municipalities with existing speed cameras in school zones to install large signage by mid-November, and permanent signs with flashing lighting by next September.