Local leaders call for compromise, saying the program keeps students safe near schools
More than twenty Ontario mayors, including those of Cambridge, Waterloo, and Guelph, are urging Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government to reconsider plans to cancel the province’s automated speed enforcement (ASE) program, warning that the move could endanger children in school zones. The mayors co-signed a letter, drafted by Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, urging municipalities to keep speed cameras in school and community safety zones. Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett, Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe, and Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie were among those who added their names.
“There are more than 20 mayors on that letter,” said McCabe. “We wrote the letter because we believe and the data shows that automated speed cameras are the best way to manage speeding in our communities, and especially at school zones.”
In 2019, the Ontario government passed Regulation 398/19, allowing Ontario municipalities to use automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras in school and community safety zones to keep residents safe from speeding vehicles. The letter, addressed to Premier Doug Ford, suggested a compromise in response to the announced total ban on automated speed enforcement.
The mayor’s letter lists other compromises municipalities support to keep speed camera measures in school zones, such as issuing warning tickets for first-time offenders, having cameras operate during school and community use times, or setting cameras at a reasonable threshold of speed before a ticket gets issued.
The letter also explained that fees from speeding tickets would be directed toward traffic calming measures, such as speed signs, pedestrian crosswalks and roundabouts. Municipal leaders also requested that municipalities be reimbursed if a full ban on automated speed enforcement should take place.
Mayors emphasized the broader context of community safety and resources. Cambridge Mayor Liggett noted that the ban could disproportionately affect law-abiding citizens while habitual speeders remain unchecked.
She highlighted that police departments are requesting additional officers, especially for traffic enforcement, while fire departments face increased demands to meet response regulations. Traffic-calming measures, such as speed bumps, are costly, reduce equipment lifespan, and can hinder emergency response.
“This compromise would allow municipalities to keep ASE in school zones, with safeguards such as operation hours, warning tickets for first offenses, and large signs alerting drivers,” said Liggett.
McCabe also clarified that while the City of Waterloo supports ASE, the program is run by the Region of Waterloo, which installs and manages the cameras.
“We have been clear that we would only put them in school zones,” she said. “Existing cameras remain active, but no additional cameras will be installed until the province clarifies the program’s future.”
The speed camera program had a measurable impact on road safety. McCabe said some schools saw a 90% reduction in vehicle speeding, and online surveys indicate strong public support for ASE.
In the first six months of the program, approximately 2 million speeding incidents were recorded by 20 cameras, yet only 55,000 tickets were issued, demonstrating the scale of speeding and the program’s focus on serious offenders.
However, some residents voiced concerns over automated speed cameras, citing issues such as fairness, privacy and the role of enforcement in school zones.
The Region of Waterloo also paused expansion of the program after Councillor Colleen James tabled a motion to pause adding new cameras until provincial legislation provides clarity.
Municipal leaders stressed that the program is about safety, not revenue. Any funds exceeding operational costs would be directed toward road safety improvements, including pedestrian crossings and other traffic calming measures.
The province has tabled legislation, and hearings are expected in the coming weeks.
Contributed Photo/Sangjun Han
