The Ontario government has announced its intention to introduce legislation this 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.
The Region of Durham has some 18 permanent and mobile automated speed cameras. Mobile cameras will be rotated through 36 community safety zones.
There has been public resistance in Durham (see below) to speed radars with most comments on social media terming it as an effort to earn 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,” said an announcement on Thursday.
Effort to Lower Costs
“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.”
School Zones
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.
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.
- 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.