Twenty mayors, along with a deputy mayor and a county warden representing various municipalities in Ontario, have jointly penned a letter to Premier Doug Ford and the transportation minister. In the letter, they advocate for a compromise on the implementation of automated speed enforcement (ASE) measures within school zones, rather than opting for a province-wide ban.
The municipal leaders have expressed their request for full reimbursement of costs incurred if the ASE program is canceled. They emphasized the necessity for this reimbursement to cover expenses related to enhancing local policing, staff severance, and public safety initiatives currently supported by speed camera revenues.
Highlighting the primary objective of ensuring the safety of children in school zones, the leaders stressed the potential adverse effects of a complete ban on ASE. They underlined concerns that a ban would not only reverse progress made in school zone safety but also increase pressure on law enforcement, escalate enforcement expenses, and pose a significant risk to lives.
To maintain ASE measures in school zones, the municipalities have proposed several compromises, including issuing warning tickets for first-time offenders, setting speed camera thresholds before issuing tickets, restricting camera operation to school and community hours, and implementing a blackout period on additional fines after an initial ticket to allow drivers to adjust their behavior.
Moreover, the municipal leaders suggested redirecting fees collected from speeding fines towards traffic calming initiatives such as speed signs and roundabouts, aligning with existing practices in many municipalities.
In response to the government’s intention to ban speed cameras due to perceived ineffectiveness as a “tax grab,” the municipal leaders cited a study indicating a 45% reduction in speeding vehicles in school zones with ASE cameras. They emphasized the tangible benefits of these measures, including fewer injuries, fewer fatalities, and increased peace of mind for parents and communities.
While some municipalities like Brampton and Toronto have opted to continue their ASE programs despite provincial opposition, others like Vaughan have discontinued their municipal cameras to focus on alternative traffic-calming strategies. Vaughan’s ASE program, initiated in April 2025, was temporarily halted in June after a surge in ticket issuance, while Toronto has faced challenges in maintaining its speed cameras due to repeated incidents of vandalism.
Overall, the municipal leaders’ letter serves as a plea for reconsideration and emphasizes the critical role of ASE measures in enhancing road safety, particularly in school zones, urging collaborative efforts to find a balanced solution that prioritizes public safety.
