Ford government to table legislation banning speed cameras in Ontario

The Ford government has announced plans to introduce legislation this fall that will eliminate speed cameras in Ontario.

CityNews reported on the government’s intentions on Wednesday. The decision comes after Ford spent weeks slamming the cameras at various news conferences.

“In a few weeks, our government will introduce legislation to ban speed cameras in Ontario, to protect taxpayers and drivers and stop them from being gouged,” Doug Ford said at a press conference on Thursday.

Ford said 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. These signs will feature permanent, large displays with flashing lights, to be in place by September 2026.

The government advised municipalities to consider alternative traffic-calming measures, including speed bumps, raised crosswalks, curb extensions, and roundabouts, in addition to improved signage, education, and awareness campaigns.

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“Instead of punishing people retroactively with speeding tickets days or weeks after the fact, we are supporting practical, proactive traffic calming measures that stop people from speeding in the first place,” added Ford.

Prambreet Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, said that speed cameras “have become nothing more than a tool for raising revenue.”

“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.”

Ottawa will have to remove cameras if approved

If the legislation goes forward it would force the City of Ottawa to disband its program that has been running since 2020.

According to the municipality, posted speed limit compliance was around 16 per cent near schools, parks or safety zones. One year after the cameras were implemented, the compliance increased to 69 per cent, and after three years to 81 per cent.

The money collected by the cameras in the city goes to the Road Safety Action Plan.

“There is a very simple way to avoid getting a ticket – just don’t speed. Slow down and help keep our communities safe,” the fact sheets from Ottawa notes.

Road safety advocates warn province’s plan undermines community safety

Jess Spieker with Friends and Families for Safe Streets said she believes the premier is rewarding vandals by introducing this legislation.

“Our premier seems to be taking acts of criminal vandalism like the cutting down of lifesaving speed cameras as if they’re policy demands and acquiescing,” said Spieker.

Ford has suggested that road design changes, such as adding more speed bumps, large signs, and flashing lights, are more effective ways to slow traffic.

“Those don’t work. They’ve had 100 years to work, and we have a road safety crisis on our hands,” said Spieker. 

“Every single day in this province, between one and two people are killed in a preventable crash. Those are shattered and devastated families, those are broken hearts,” she added. “I think this is the most nauseating form of populist politics where he is willing to get people killed to do something he thinks plays well with his voter base.”