The Ontario government intends to introduce legislation next month that will ban the use of municipal automated speed enforcement cameras across the province, ensuring they are no longer used as a form of revenue. To improve road safety, the province will instead establish a new provincial fund to help affected municipalities implement alternative safety measures, including proactive traffic-calming initiatives like speed bumps, roundabouts, raised crosswalks and curb extensions, as well as public education and improved signage, to slow down drivers.
"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."
Since 2019, over 700 municipal speed cameras have been installed in 40 municipalities across Ontario, with more currently planned for installation in the coming months.
"Municipal speed cameras have become nothing more than a tool for raising revenue," said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. "Our government is focused on measures that truly protect the safety of all Ontarians and we will continue working with municipalities to ensure Ontario maintains its position as one of the safest jurisdictions in North America."
If passed, this legislation will prevent the use of municipal speed cameras in Ontario immediately upon Royal Assent. The province will also introduce requirements for municipalities with existing speed cameras in school zones to install large new signs to slow down drivers by mid-November 2025, with permanent, large signs with flashing lights to be in place by September 2026. Municipalities will also be encouraged to implement alternative traffic-calming measures such as speed bumps, speed cushions, raised crosswalks, curb extensions and roundabouts, as well as enhanced signage and education and awareness campaigns.
"I thank Premier Doug Ford for providing clarity on the speed camera program and for his commitment to provide financial support for municipal traffic-calming measures," said Steven Del Duca, Mayor of Vaughan. "Road safety will always be a priority and, in Vaughan, we will do everything possible to protect vulnerable road users. But we will also focus our attention on fighting real crime and going after real criminals."
Quick Facts
- For 25 years, Ontario has ranked among the top five jurisdictions in North America for road safety, with one of the lowest fatality rates per 10,000 licensed drivers.
- Under the existing municipal automated speed enforcement camera program, municipalities are permitted to use municipal speed cameras to ticket drivers who exceed the posted speed limit by as little as one kilometre per hour.
- After a three-week period in which the City of Vaughan issued more than 30,000 tickets, city council suspended and ultimately scrapped its municipal automated speed enforcement camera program.
- Prior to 2025, a single municipal speed camera in the City of Toronto issued more than 65,000 tickets and took in nearly $7 million in revenue.
- In the Region of Waterloo, close to 55,000 tickets were issued during the first six months of their municipal automated speed enforcement camera program.
Quotes
"We are committed to keeping families safe while on the road, including investing in community-based traffic calming solutions that work. Local governments should be focused on making life affordable, not imposing new revenue tools that set back families and seniors across Ontario."
- Stephen Lecce, MPP, King Vaughan
"Today's provincial investments announced for road safety will help cities like ours continue to make streets safer for everyone. Kitchener's Vision Zero strategy, focused on traffic calming through smarter road design and education, is seeing real results and can go even further thanks to investments like these. Together, with our provincial partners, we're making streets safer and putting people first."
- Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Kitchener
"The City of Barrie supports the Province of Ontario, and we are excited to see the new funding opportunities for municipalities. Thank you, Premier Ford, for your leadership and commitment to enhance traffic calming measures across our cities. We look forward to continuing to work with the province to create community-safety measures that reduce speeding, improve safety and respect taxpayers."
- Alex Nuttall, Mayor of Barrie
"The Police Association of Ontario has consistently called for a comprehensive reassessment of automated speed enforcement cameras. We are encouraged by the Ontario government's commitment to the increased funding for alternative traffic calming measures, as well as the ongoing public education regarding the dangers of speeding. Together with proactive policing, these initiatives are fundamental to maintaining the safety of the communities we serve."
- Mark Baxter, President, Police Association of Ontario
"The Council of Ontario Construction Associations supports safe streets, and we welcome Premier Ford's commitment to invest in measures proven to reduce speed and improve safety. As a secondary benefit, the removal of automated speed enforcement cameras avoids tickets being sent to plate owners instead of the driver; those tickets can be recorded on a company's Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registrations (CVOR) and may threaten its ability to operate. For these reasons, we applaud Premier Ford and his government for today's announcement."
- Ian Cunningham, President, Council of Ontario Construction Associations
"Speed cameras can be deployed by municipalities as an easy method to squeeze extra revenue from struggling taxpayers, all under the pretext of safety. Getting rid of automatic speed cameras is a common sense way to save taxpayers' money from municipalities looking to use them as a cash grab."
- Noah Jarvis, Ontario Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
For more information
The latest news «Police-Fire»
