Speed cameras in the Waterloo region are here to stay, despite Premier Doug Ford’s announcement on Thursday that he plans to propose a ban on them next month.
The Region of Waterloo launched its automated speed camera program in February after testing it out in 2021.
Currently, there are 22 school zones in the Waterloo region equipped with automated speed cameras, and another six are set to be added in October.
The region stated that without any official directive or legislative changes from the province, their speed camera program will continue as planned.
“Municipal speed cameras remain one of tools in our toolbox, that the Region and our area municipal partners use to protect children and other vulnerable road users in school zones,” the region said in an email statement to CBC K-W.
“Should provincial legislation change, the Region of Waterloo would assess the impacts at that time.”
While speaking with reporters in Vaughan on Thursday, Ford mentioned that “people are fed up” with speed cameras, which automatically send tickets to drivers exceeding the speed limit.
“Over the last few years, we’ve seen municipalities across the province use municipal speed cameras as nothing more than a cash grab,” he said.
WATCH | Premier Doug Ford to ban speed cameras in the province:
Ford says he will ban ‘cash grab’ speed cameras
Ontario Premier Doug Ford referred to speed cameras as an ineffective ‘tax grab’ and announced plans for his government to soon introduce legislation for banning their usage despite support from police associations and municipalities regarding their effectiveness.
Fine.
Cities only implemented them because it was his government that allowed them AND promoted them in the first place.
If he wants them gone, so be it.
I’ll leave you with this image because this is what it’s all about. If the… pic. twitter. com/Vk Nsaj WNk Z-@Cam Guthrie Ford announced plans for new funding aimed at assisting cities implement alternative traffic-calming solutions such as speed bumps, roundabouts, raised crosswalks, and curb extensions.
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Ford says he will ban ‘cash grab’ speed cameras
Ontario Premier Doug Ford referred to speed cameras as an ineffective ‘tax grab’ and announced plans for his government to soon introduce legislation for banning their usage despite support from police associations and municipalities regarding their effectiveness.
Residents were ‘just getting angry’
At the same press conference, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic expressed that residents want traffic calming methods, infrastructure improvements, and enforcement from “real live officers.” “Residents largely didn’t believe they were learning a lesson,” he explained when discussing how some residents reacted after receiving tickets from a speed camera. “They were just getting angry, losing their faith in government and having dollars taken from their pockets.” Vrbanovic noted that city council opted out of participating in the regional automated speed camera initiative on city streets and chose instead to support its Vision Zero strategy. LISTEN | How do people in Waterloo Region feel about speed cameras? : The Morning Edition – K-W4:54Are speed cameras doing their job or draining our wallets?Speed cameras are appearing all over the region. While some view them as lifesaving tools, Premier Doug Ford regards them as a tax grab. CBC K-W’s Diego Pizarro took to the streets to gauge resident opinions on these devices. “Throughout the hot spot improvement program in Kitchener, we’re using citywide data to understand where the greatest risks exist and address them through traffic calming measures like road reconstruction,” he said. Waterloo Mayor Dorothy Mc Cabe expressed her disappointment regarding Ford’s plans on Friday since she has seen evidence showing that speed cameras effectively work within school zones. “I worry about a couple of things with this one. That it’s the province stepping into municipal jurisdiction and they’ve done that time and again. I’d like them to really think about jurisdictional differences and where we have responsibility and where they have responsibility,” Mc Cabe continued. “The second thing I’m really disappointed and concerned about is that this is clearly populist politics replacing good public policy.” Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), saying he thought Ford’s decision was “fine.” “Cities only implemented them because it was his government that allowed them and promoted them initially. If he wants them gone, so be it,” Guthrie tweeted. Today Premier Ford outlawed speed cameras.Fine.
Cities only implemented them because it was his government that allowed them AND promoted them in the first place.
If he wants them gone, so be it.
I’ll leave you with this image because this is what it’s all about. If the… pic. twitter. com/Vk Nsaj WNk Z-@Cam Guthrie Ford announced plans for new funding aimed at assisting cities implement alternative traffic-calming solutions such as speed bumps, roundabouts, raised crosswalks, and curb extensions.
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