Ontario’s premier announced plans to introduce legislation that would prohibit speed cameras throughout the province, putting Waterloo Region’s program at risk.
The municipality has taken the lead in automated speed camera enforcement. In 2021, a pilot initiative was launched to evaluate how effective speed cameras are in school zones.
The pilot was so successful that it quickly turned into a full program, which now includes 22 speed cameras positioned in school zones across the region. The announcement made by Premier Doug Ford on Thursday, which aims to eliminate municipal speed cameras, raises concerns about the future of this program.
In a statement to 570 News Radio, the Region of Waterloo confirmed it’s business as usual for now.
“At this time, there has been no formal directive or legislative change from the Province. The Region of Waterloo’s Municipal Speed Camera Program continues to operate, focused on improving road safety in school zones. 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. Should provincial legislation change, the Region of Waterloo would assess the impacts at that time.”
Not everyone is on board with municipal speed cameras. Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic has voiced strong opposition. The city opted out of the region’s program in 2024 and chose a different strategy instead.
Vrbanovic attended Thursday’s announcement and spoke to reporters present. He emphasized that there is a consensus on the importance of road safety.
“But when it comes to automated speed enforcement, that’s where folks go onto different pathways. People want traffic calming. People want infrastructure improvements. People want speed enforcement but want it from a real live officer,” he said.
Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic speaks at speed enforcement news conference in Vaughan. September 25, 2025 (CPAC)
The Region of Waterloo indicated that since its speed camera program launched in February 2025, average speeds in school zones have decreased by 15 km/hr.
Research conducted by CAA South Central Ontario reveals that 73 percent of drivers support using speed cameras in specific areas and 76 percent believe these cameras effectively discourage speeding.
Waterloo Mayor Dorothy Mc Cabe shared her thoughts with 570 News Radio and expressed she wasn’t surprised by the announcement.
“Well, we knew this was coming, but it is disappointing that what I would call ‘populist politics’ is taking over versus good public policy.”
Mc Cabe noted she found it somewhat surprising to see Mayor Vrbanovic speak at Thursday’s press conference. She was asked if she felt let down by her Kitchener counterpart and fellow regional council member.
“The general practice is, you go forward as this is the decision that the majority of council members have made. So yeah, it is disappointing that he worked so vigorously behind the scenes to overturn that.”
The province plans several measures including establishing a fund aimed at helping municipalities afford things like roundabouts, speed humps and signs with flashing lights.
Vrbanovic stated Kitchener aligns with this approach as well and believes it’s what residents need most.
“We believe our Vision Zero initiatives, built on a foundation of changing behaviour through road design and not punitive measures, has been the best tool to balance safety and affordability for our community.”
Mc Cabe pointed out that implementing things like speed humps and illuminated signs isn’t inexpensive. She acknowledged while provincial funding sounds beneficial; these proposed measures will still incur millions in costs which will need funding from either provincial or municipal taxpayers – making it less than affordable overall.
Mc Cabe also raised concerns regarding what she views as another instance of provincial overreach.
“My real question with this is why is the province and particularly Premier inserting himself into municipal jurisdiction?”
The premier plans to table his anti-speed camera legislation when lawmakers reconvene at the end of October.
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Speed Cameras in Waterloo Region
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