Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s administration is allocating $210 million to support municipalities in implementing traffic-calming measures following the impending ban on speed cameras. Ford has been vocal in his opposition to speed cameras, criticizing them as a revenue-generating tool for municipalities. Despite this, his government recently passed a ban on speed cameras, effective as of this Friday.
Despite Ford’s stance that speed cameras are ineffective in reducing speeding, data collected by municipalities and researchers from the Hospital for Sick Children suggests otherwise. Over 20 mayors had urged Ford to revise the speed camera program rather than eliminate it entirely, expressing concerns that community road safety initiatives will now rely on taxpayers’ funds rather than fines from speeding drivers.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announced the establishment of a new Road Safety Initiatives Fund, providing an initial $42 million for various measures like speed bumps, raised crosswalks, roundabouts, signage enhancements, and increased police presence in school and community areas previously monitored by speed cameras. Sarkaria emphasized that the fund aims to enhance road safety without imposing additional costs on drivers.
Municipalities meeting the criteria will have the opportunity to apply for the remaining $168 million in funding early next year. Ford’s anti-speed camera campaign gained momentum after 17 automated speed cameras were vandalized in Toronto over a two-day period. The ban on speed cameras was included in a bill focused on cutting bureaucratic red tape, which the government expedited, curtailing discussions and bypassing public consultations.