Ford Government Orders Speed Camera Ban

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government has passed legislation to ban speed cameras across the province, ordering their removal within two weeks. The measure was approved Thursday as part of a fast-tracked red-tape reduction bill that limits public hearings and debate.

Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria confirmed that cameras will be dismantled by November 14, ending municipal programs that had issued thousands of automated speeding tickets annually.

Rationale Behind the Decision

Premier Ford has long argued that speed cameras fail to slow drivers, calling them a “cash grab” that unfairly targets taxpayers. He says alternative traffic-calming methods — such as speed bumps, roundabouts, and flashing-light signage — will be introduced instead.

However, Sarkaria could not provide a clear timeline for when those measures will be installed, noting only that temporary signage will appear in affected zones before the deadline.

Reaction from Municipal Leaders

Municipal officials have voiced alarm over the rapid removal, warning of an impending “gap in safety.” Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, who joined more than 20 Ontario mayors urging the province to amend rather than abolish the program, said the government has not disclosed funding or plans for replacement measures.

“The province should ensure alternatives are ready before cameras come down,” Meed Ward said. “Otherwise, we risk a dangerous lapse in road safety.”

She added that while speed bumps and roundabouts can help, they are not feasible on busy school routes — and that speed cameras have proven cost-effective, shifting the financial burden “from taxpayers to lawbreakers.”

Opposition Criticism Over Safety Risks

NDP Leader Marit Stiles warned that removing cameras without replacements could endanger pedestrians and children, calling the move “reckless.”

“If one child is hurt during this gap, the responsibility lies squarely with the Premier,” she said.

Liberal parliamentary leader John Fraser accused the Ford government of ignoring safety research by the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Metropolitan University, and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, all of which found that cameras reduce speeding and collisions.

Implementation and Next Steps

Minister Sarkaria said the government will assist municipalities through a new traffic-calming fund, but the amount and eligibility criteria have not been released. Until new measures are in place, communities that relied on automated enforcement will see no camera-based ticketing after mid-November.

Municipalities are now assessing how to maintain safety in school and residential zones as they await provincial funding and direction.

Broader Policy Implications

The speed camera ban marks a major shift in Ontario’s traffic-safety strategy, trading automated enforcement for physical deterrents. The government’s swift legislative process — embedded in a broader deregulation bill — underscores its priority on reducing perceived bureaucratic burdens but has drawn scrutiny for limiting consultation and data review.

As Ontario removes cameras province-wide, the coming months will test whether Ford’s proposed measures can match the proven deterrent effect of automated enforcement — or whether the province’s roads become less safe in the interim.

The post Ontario to Remove All Speed Cameras Within 2 Weeks first appeared on Maple News Wire.

European countries show strong backing for enforcement

In much of Europe, automated speed-enforcement systems are broadly accepted and supported by the public. For example, in Italy — which operates over 10,000 speed cameras — a 2018 survey found nearly 70 per cent of Italians supported stricter speeding rules, even as about half admitted to speeding in the previous month.
This suggests that enforcement by speed cameras is not viewed purely as revenue generation but as a public-safety measure.

Canada’s political friction surrounding automated cameras

In Ontario, the issue remains contentious. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, recently labelled speed-camera programs a “cash grab” and threatened their outright ban.
This marks a sharp contrast to the European attitude of treating cameras as safety tools rather than revenue machines.

Campaigns and implementation in France and Italy

France launched a national campaign in 2002 after a spate of high-profile traffic fatalities; it now operates more than 2,400 speed cameras. A key factor in France’s approach was political commitment, say experts, enabling a system capable of levying fines nationally.
In Italy, the extensive camera network has been paired with public awareness and acceptance — although opposition remains in pockets.

Why Europe sees results, and Canada might benefit

Studies across Europe attribute reductions in average speeds by about 10 km/h or more, with crash rates falling between 20–70 per cent. Traffic-safety expert Laurent Carnis estimates that in France alone, “some 1,000 lives, and many more injuries, were avoided.”
In Canada, municipalities report local speed reductions of 20 km/h or more when cameras are installed — indicating a similar potential impact.

Key factors behind acceptance — and cautionary lessons

Experts argue that success depends on credible speed limits and transparent enforcement. “You have to make sure… the speed limit is meaningful,” Carnis remarks, pointing to wide lanes and design standards in Canada that may encourage higher speeds.
Moreover, targeting high-risk offenders rather than chasing small over-limit infractions helps maintain public trust. Enforcement perceived as unfair or indiscriminate tends to prompt backlash, as seen in parts of France where cameras have been vandalised.

What this could mean for Canada’s road-safety strategy

For Canadian policymakers, the contrast is clear: Europe’s system pairs visible enforcement with public acceptance and measurable safety gains. If Canada wants similar results, the path may require building political commitment, designing sensible speed limits, and communicating the safety rationale clearly.
Without these components, speed-camera programs risk being dismissed as revenue tools — rather than life-saving interventions.

The post Canada questions speed cameras as Europe embraces them first appeared on Maple News Wire.