Ford government plans to ban speed cameras across Ontario

The Ontario government intends to introduce legislation next 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.

“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,” reads a statement from the Conservative government.

If passed, the legislation will prevent the use of municipal speed cameras in Ontario immediately upon Royal Assent. 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.

Premier Doug Ford’s government is framing the debate as an affordability issue, saying speed camera fines are making life more expensive for Ontarians.

During a morning press conference from Vaughan, Ont. to address speed cameras Ford called them “nothing more than a tax grab,” adding that they “do not slow people down.”

The government 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, with permanent, large signs with flashing lights to be in place by September 2026.

Municipalities will 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.

“The City of Barrie supports the Province of Ontario, and we are excited to see the new funding opportunities for municipalities… We look forward to continuing to work with the province to create community-safety measures that reduce speeding, improve safety and respect taxpayers,” said Alex Nuttal, mayor of Barrie, Ont.

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