In a bold and controversial move, Canada’s most populous province, Ontario, has declared war on automated speed cameras, labeling them nothing more than a 'cash grab.' But here's where it gets controversial: starting November 14, these cameras will be banned, replaced with what officials claim are more effective—and less profit-driven—speed reduction measures like speed bumps, roundabouts, and improved signage. This decision has sparked a heated debate, with critics questioning whether it’s a step backward for road safety or a long-overdue correction to a flawed system.
The Ontario government’s decision came as part of a broader ‘red tape’ bill, aimed at streamlining regulations. The current law, passed in 2018, allowed municipalities to install automated speed cameras in school and community zones. However, Premier Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservative government argue that these cameras have been exploited as revenue generators rather than safety tools. ‘Too many municipalities are using speed cameras as a cash grab,’ Ford stated, accusing them of failing to prioritize cost-saving measures for residents.
And this is the part most people miss: In Canada, traffic enforcement is primarily a municipal responsibility, unlike in Australia, where it’s managed at the state level. This distinction has fueled the debate, as municipalities defend their use of camera fines to fund essential services like traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and victims’ support programs. Toronto, for instance, collected approximately C$30 million (A$33 million) in fines from January to September this year alone.
Instead of relying on cameras, Ontario plans to establish a new fund to help municipalities implement alternative safety measures. These include speed humps, raised pedestrian crossings, and public education campaigns aimed at preventing speeding before it happens. Transport Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria assured that temporary signage would be in place before the ban takes effect, with funding discussions for new installations set to begin soon.
But not everyone is convinced. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow pushed back against Ford’s ‘cash grab’ claim, arguing that fines are reinvested into critical safety infrastructure. A group of big-city mayors also penned a letter to the premier, citing evidence that speed cameras reduce unsafe driving and save lives. They warned that a total ban would undo years of progress in school zone safety. Their pleas, however, were met with silence.
The ban comes on the heels of a wave of vandalism targeting speed cameras in the Toronto area. Since the third quarter of 2024, cameras have been ‘severely vandalized’ 25 times, with one on Parkside Drive targeted six times. This raises questions about public sentiment toward the cameras and whether their removal might alleviate tensions—or create new risks.
Here’s the twist: It was Ford himself, in 2019, who enacted the regulations allowing municipalities to install these cameras in the first place. The legislation was originally passed by the previous Liberal government but required his administration’s regulations to take effect. Since then, 40 municipalities have installed 700 cameras across the province, including 150 in Toronto alone.
Studies appear to support the cameras’ effectiveness. A joint report by the Hospital for Sick Children and Toronto Metropolitan University found that speeding in Toronto’s school zones dropped by 45% after cameras were introduced. Toronto Police Service data also shows a significant decline in major accidents since 2019, though it’s unclear how much credit the cameras deserve. Other factors, like COVID-19 lockdowns and additional safety programs, likely played a role.
Public opinion seems to favor the cameras, too. A mid-year survey by the Canadian Automobile Association revealed that 73% of Ontarians support their use in school and community areas. But here’s the question that divides opinions: Are speed cameras truly a safety measure, or are they a thinly veiled tax on drivers? And if they’re removed, will Ontario’s roads become more dangerous, or will alternative measures prove equally—if not more—effective?
This decision isn’t just about traffic enforcement; it’s a reflection of broader debates about government priorities, public trust, and the balance between safety and affordability. What do you think? Is Ontario making the right call, or is this a step backward for road safety? Let us know in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.
