TORONTO — Ontario has officially banned the use of municipal speed cameras across the province, ending a program that has issued millions of fines over the past five years. The prohibition took effect on Friday, November 14, as part of the government’s Red Tape Reduction Bill, which passed through the legislature under an expedited process without public consultation.
Premier Doug Ford has repeatedly criticized speed cameras as a “cash grab,” arguing that municipalities were relying on fines to generate revenue rather than to improve road safety. Despite opposition from several mayors and traffic safety experts, the government moved ahead with a full ban on automated speed enforcement.
Province Announces $210 Million Replacement Plan
A day before the ban took effect, the province unveiled a $210-million Road Safety Initiatives Fund (RSIF) aimed at improving safety in school zones and community safety zones through “proven” traffic-calming infrastructure.
According to the Ministry of Transportation, the funding will support measures such as:
- Speed bumps
- Raised crosswalks
- Roundabouts
- High-visibility signage
- Increased police enforcement
These initiatives will focus on areas where municipal speed cameras were previously deployed.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the new fund is designed to enhance safety without increasing costs for drivers.
“Under Premier Ford’s leadership, our government is standing up for drivers by banning cash-grab speed cameras and investing in real, proven safety measures,” Sarkaria said. “Ontario has some of the safest roads in North America, and the RSIF will strengthen that record without making life more expensive for families.”
Funding Rollout
- $42 million will be distributed immediately to municipalities that had speed cameras in school or community safety zones.
- The remaining funds will be available early next year through an application process requiring municipalities to submit construction plans for new traffic-calming infrastructure.
- The $210 million represents one-time funding.
- Concerns Over Revenue-Driven Enforcement
The government cited public concerns about the rapid expansion of speed cameras in recent years. More than 700 cameras have been added across Ontario since 2019, resulting in millions of dollars in fines.
One Toronto camera alone issued more than 65,000 tickets and generated nearly $7 million in fines before 2025—figures often highlighted by critics who say municipalities became overly dependent on automated enforcement.
Ontario’s Road Safety Record
Ontario has ranked among the top five jurisdictions in North America for road safety for more than two decades, with one of the lowest fatality rates per 10,000 licensed drivers.
Programs such as the RIDE (Reduced Impaired Driving Everywhere) initiative and the Road Safety Community Partnership Program will continue to support public education and enforcement efforts across the province.（LJI by Rita)
