Premier Doug Ford says his government will introduce legislation next month to ban the use of municipal speed cameras across Ontario, framing the devices as nothing more than a “cash grab” from local governments.
“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,” Ford said at a news conference in Vaughan on Thursday.
“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.”
Ford first made the threat earlier this month where he revealed he would help municipalities get rid of the devices by fall. Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria further backed that claim in an email to CTV News Toronto.
The new law, if passed, would remove more than 700 speed cameras operating in 40 municipalities across Ontario. Ford’s government says municipalities will be required to install large new warning signs by mid-November, with permanent flashing-light signage by fall 2026.
To improve road safety, the province says they will establish a “new provincial fund” to help affected municipalities implement alternative safety measures, including proactive initiatives like speed bumps, roundabouts, raised crosswalks and curb extensions, as well as public education to slow down drivers.
Speaking at Thursday’s news conference, Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca, who already moved to scrap his city’s camera program, thanked Ford for “providing clarity” and committing resources for other safety measures.
Ford’s move marks a sharp reversal from his own government’s 2019 law that first allowed municipalities to install the cameras. Now, the premier says, the devices unfairly target drivers who go slightly over the speed limit and reveal a revenue-first approach by some cities.
Toronto pushes back
Speaking to reporters moments after the announcement, Chow said “I think this is the wrong decision.”
“It signals to people that the provincial government is okay with speeding. It will mean our roads are less safe, Chow said. ”Instead of using money from speeders breaking the law, the province want you the law abiding citizens... to pay for Road Safety... I do not believe that is fair if you follow the rules."
“I’ll be asking staff to inform the local neighborhoods that their camera is being taken away by the province, and they should call their MPP if they are not happy with this decision,” she added.
Chow says she still plans to bring forward recommendations at Friday’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee to strengthen the ASE program, which include bigger signs, limits on repeat ticketing, and public notices to residents living near camera sites.
“Speed kills. Since 2024, 250 Torontonians have died or been seriously injured on our roads,” Chow said in a news release. “Automated enforcement works.”
City officials and some police chiefs have also spoken out in support of speed cameras, pointing to a July study that found ASE devices “reduced the number of speeding vehicles by 45 per cent in urban school zones.” Meanwhile, a recent Canadian Automobile Association survey found 73 per cent of Ontarians support automated speed enforcement.
Opposition parties slam ban
In an email to CTV News Toronto, Ontario Liberal MPPs also chimed in to condemn Ford’s decision, framing it dangerous for school zones and a step back in the wrong direction.
“This Ford only goes in reverse, said John Fraser, MPP for Ottawa South and the party’s Education Critic.”
“Doug Ford put in speed cameras to make our streets safer, and now he’s ripping them out.”
Andrea Hazell, MPP for Scarborough—Guildwood and the Ontario Liberal Critic for Transportation, added that while the program could be improved, dismantling it is ultimately “reckless.”
“Speed cameras have reduced collisions and saved lives. Yes, the program can and should be improved to maximize fairness, but scrapping it altogether is reckless,” she said. “We shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater just because the Premier thinks it will boost him in the polls.”
The Ontario NDP also called out Ford’s ban, saying that he is removing cameras without any plan to keep vulnerable road users safe.
“The premier is taking tools away from our communities that keep children, cyclists and pedestrians safe,” said Shadow Solicitor General Jennie Stevens, noting that the ban is a distraction from the province’s unemployment numbers.
“Right now, the premier of our province is focused on taking safety tools away from school zones and high-risk areas of our communities against the advice of experts, including police chiefs, instead of focusing on what matters—the jobs disaster that has unfolded under his watch," Stevens added.
What do residents think?
Just last week, nearly 200 residents submitted feedback to CTV News Toronto, with some praising the devices and others voicing frustration.
While some may celebrate the outright ban, Faraz Gholizadeh, co-chair of Safe Parkside near High Park, says it’s a “nonsensical” move, insisting devices are “not cash grabs.”
“He’s playing political games with the safety of children, and that’s the most frustrating part,” Gholizadeh told CTV.
Still, he explains that a much better alternative to cameras is changing road design, adding it’s a measure all municipalities should consider.
“Designing streets, making physical changes to the design of the road, is the most effective way to control motor speeds.”
Political fight over road safety
Ford has repeatedly suggested some municipalities privately admitted the devices are more about revenue than safety.
In addition, he explains his government has dismantled other measures aimed at drivers, including road tolls, congestion pricing, and the carbon tax.
On Wednesday, Toronto Coun. Josh Matlow accused Ford of “playing political games with the safety of our communities.” Before the announcement of the ban, he planned to introduce a council motion requiring clearer marking of camera locations and “a more reasonable and transparent speed threshold.”
With files from CP24’s Joanna Lavoie, Codi Wilson and Bryann Aguilar...
