The Ontario government announced plans to introduce legislation next month that would ban the use of municipal automated speed cameras across the province. If passed, the ban would take effect immediately upon receiving Royal Assent.
The government says it will replace the cameras with a new provincial fund to help municipalities improve road and school zone safety without increasing costs for drivers. The funding will support measures such as speed bumps, raised crosswalks, roundabouts, curb extensions, public education campaigns, and larger signage to slow vehicles before speeding occurs.
“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,” Premier Doug Ford said in announcing the plan. “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.”
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria added that the shift is meant to ensure safety remains the focus. “Municipal 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.”
Transition Plan for Municipalities
Municipalities with existing speed cameras in school zones will need to change how they alert drivers. By mid-November 2025, they must install large new warning signs in those areas. By September 2026, permanent signs with flashing lights will also be required.
Steven Del Duca, Mayor of Vaughan, welcomed the change while emphasizing road safety remains important. “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,” he said.
Speed Camera Use and Impact
Since 2019, more than 700 automated speed cameras have been installed in 40 municipalities across Ontario. Under the existing program, municipalities can ticket drivers exceeding the speed limit by as little as one kilometre per hour.
Some municipalities have reported significant ticket volumes and revenue from ASE programs:
- In a three-week period, the City of Vaughan issued more than 30,000 tickets before suspending and later cancelling its program.
- A single camera in Toronto issued over 65,000 tickets and generated nearly $7 million before 2025.
- In the Region of Waterloo, nearly 55,000 tickets were issued in the first six months of operation.
Leaders in other communities said new provincial support will help them continue improving safety without depending on ticket revenue. “Today’s provincial investments announced for road safety will help cities like ours continue to make streets safer for everyone,” said Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Kitchener. “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.”
Alex Nuttall, Mayor of Barrie, also welcomed the changes: “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.”
Support From Police and Industry
The Police Association of Ontario said it has long called for a reassessment of automated speed enforcement. “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,” said Mark Baxter, the association’s president. “Together with proactive policing, these initiatives are fundamental to maintaining the safety of the communities we serve.”
Ian Cunningham, president of the Council of Ontario Construction Associations, noted that removing automated cameras will also prevent some unintended consequences for businesses. Tickets issued to the vehicle’s plate owner rather than the driver can affect commercial vehicle records and operating ability. “For these reasons, we applaud Premier Ford and his government for today’s announcement,” Cunningham said.
Road Safety Record
Ontario has ranked among the top five jurisdictions in North America for road safety for the past 25 years, with one of the lowest fatality rates per 10,000 licensed drivers. The province says the new approach will preserve that record while helping municipalities move away from what it characterizes as revenue-driven enforcement.
