Ontario’s Mayors Push Back Against Speed Camera Ban

Premier Doug Ford has reinforced his government’s decision to eliminate municipal speed cameras throughout Ontario, dismissing requests from Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward to keep the programs in place.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to both mayors, Ford referred to the cameras as “cash grabs, pure and simple,” arguing that they do not enhance road safety and merely siphon millions from drivers.

This response came after Brown and Meed Ward called on the province to rethink legislation aimed at banning automated speed enforcement.

“The answer is no. Our government is banning this municipal cash grab once and for all,” Ford stated. “The only thing municipal speed cameras are 100 per cent effective at is taking money from hard-working people.”

Instead, Ford indicated that the province would invest in “proven and proactive” traffic-calming strategies like roundabouts, speed bumps, and better signage, especially in school zones.

Ford points to increasing ticket revenues

The premier highlighted what he termed as explosive growth in ticket revenue:

Between 2020 and 2024, fines handed out by speed cameras in Ontario surged nearly ninefold, rising from 163,852 to 1.3 million, costing drivers $52.5 million. In Toronto alone, over 550,000 tickets were issued between January and August 2025, generating more than $30 million. One camera noted by Ford had issued nearly 70,000 tickets since 2022, bringing in $7.3 million. Other areas mentioned included Waterloo Region (55,000 tickets in six months), Oakville (17,000 in three months), and Vaughan (32,000 within three weeks).

Ford contended that if the cameras truly worked at slowing down drivers, ticket numbers would be decreasing rather than increasing.

“A growing number of mayors like Mayor Steven Del Duca in Vaughan, Mayor Alex Nuttall in Barrie and Mayor Iain Lovatt in Whitchurch-Stouffville have either ended speed cameras in their cities or have pledged to soon do so,” Ford wrote. “They are joining the vast majority of municipalities and mayors-including leaders like Mayor Barry Vrbanovic in Kitchener-that never introduced speed cameras at all.”

The letter arrives amid increasing opposition from local officials who assert that speed cameras are crucial for safeguarding children and pedestrians around schools.

Brown has been among the loudest opponents of the ban; he warns that removing these cameras will make roads less secure. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has also backed her city’s program by stating that these devices save lives while urging the province to let municipalities decide independently.

Vehicles pass a speed camera in Toronto on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan.

Funding issues with contracts

Brown and Meed Ward also requested provincial assistance for covering costs linked with canceling existing contracts. Ford declined this request but suggested municipalities use already collected fine revenues or seek compensation from camera operators instead.

He added that Ontario’s legislation will protect municipalities when it comes to terminating contracts.

“I encourage you to instead cover these costs by insisting that the speed camera operators do so or by making use of the tens of millions of dollars you’ve taken from hard-working people through these speed camera programs over recent years,” Ford responded.

Next steps ahead

The Ford government put forward legislation last September aimed at officially prohibiting municipal speed cameras. If passed into law, it would mandate municipalities remove current devices while stopping any new installations.

This action has ignited a province-wide conversation regarding road safety concerns alongside issues surrounding municipal authority versus infrastructure needs. Recently Ontario’s school boards entered this discussion too-calling on the government to prioritize student safety over political considerations.

“Our government is prepared to help fund new signage and traffic-calming measures that will keep school zones safe. We are not prepared however to allow your municipal speed camera cash grab to continue,” Ford asserted.

“I look forward to working together to protect our communities without making life more expensive for hard-working people across Ontario.”

Premier Doug Ford speaks about roadway speed cameras at the Vaughan Joint Operations Centre in Vaughan on Thursday Sept. 25th ,2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker. Keep it Factual

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