Ontario Considers Ban on Speed Cameras — What Do You Think?
- Small Town Productions
- Sep 25
- 2 min read
The Ontario government has announced its intention to ban automated speed-enforcement cameras across the province. The plan is to propose legislation, that once passed, would require municipalities to remove existing cameras and instead access a new provincial fund aimed at supporting alternative road-safety measures such as speed bumps, raised crosswalks, curb extensions, and roundabouts.
The Provincial Government’s Position
Premier Doug Ford has described speed cameras as a “cash grab,” arguing they place an unfair financial burden on drivers without significantly improving safety. His government has pointed to examples where cameras have issued tens of thousands of tickets, generating millions of dollars in fines. According to provincial figures, only a small percentage of Ontario’s municipalities currently use the devices.
The Concerns Raised
Opponents of the ban, including the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and road-safety advocates, maintain that speed cameras are effective in reducing dangerous driving. A study in Toronto school zones reported a 45% decrease in speeding after cameras were installed. Municipal leaders, including Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, have expressed concern that removing cameras could put pedestrians, cyclists, and children at greater risk.
What Comes Next?
If the legislation is introduced and passed in the upcoming session, municipalities would need to dismantle their programs and shift toward other traffic-calming measures using the promised provincial funding. Details of how much funding will be provided, and how it will be distributed, have not yet been confirmed.
Your Turn!
Do you believe Ontario should move forward with banning speed cameras, or should they remain part of the province’s road-safety strategy?
Share your opinion!
Should fines from speed cameras continue, or is it time for new approaches?
To keep updated with our latest news articles by having them sent straight to your email please visit www.smalltownproductions.org/signup or check out our other articles at www.smalltownproductions.org/news
Link for Donations
We’re proudly independent, with no corporate or political ties, just a commitment to truthful, fact-based reporting. Your support not only helps us stay free from outside influence but also allows us to give back to the communities we serve through meaningful coverage, outreach, and support where it matters most. If you value honest local journalism, please consider donating through the link below. Anything helps us keep you informed and make a real difference.
Well.. We sure seem divided on this. No I do not support this position by the government. The only people inconvenienced are people speeding. Point 1 to consider: The HTA is a set of laws. What laws are "OK" to break? Just the ones that don't cause immediate harm? What happens when someone DOES get hurt? Why is the HTA a "lesser set of enforceable laws" when compared to the Criminal Code? I mean if we should let off speeders, why NOT bother with simple snatch and grabs and small B&E's. That should be ok too, right? We can surely look the other way, since no one really got hurt. People advocating for removal of a legitimate tool for traffic…