Twenty mayors, a deputy mayor, and a county warden representing various municipalities in Ontario have collectively penned a letter urging Premier Doug Ford and the transportation minister to find a middle ground on automated speed enforcement (ASE) measures in school zones instead of enacting a province-wide ban. In the letter, signed by leaders from Brampton to Ajax to Parry Sound, the municipal representatives requested full reimbursement from the province for any costs associated with canceling the ASE program.
The mayors emphasized that the primary objective behind installing cameras in school zones was to safeguard the most vulnerable residents, particularly children. They expressed concerns that a complete ban on ASE would undo the progress made in enhancing safety within school zones, leading to increased pressure on law enforcement, higher enforcement expenses, and, most importantly, jeopardizing lives.
Outlined in the letter were several compromises proposed by the municipalities to retain ASE measures in school zones, including issuing warning tickets for first-time offenders, setting cameras to trigger at a reasonable speed threshold, restricting camera operation to school and community hours, and implementing a blackout period on additional fines following the first ticket to allow drivers to adjust their behavior.
Furthermore, the leaders suggested that revenues generated from speeding fines could be allocated towards traffic calming initiatives like speed signs and roundabouts, a practice already adopted by many municipalities. The mayors’ plea comes in response to Premier Ford’s labeling of cameras as a “tax grab” and his intent to introduce legislation prohibiting their use, citing ineffectiveness.
Ford proposed redirecting resources towards proactive traffic-calming measures such as speed bumps, roundabouts, raised crosswalks, and curb extensions to deter speeding. Despite the upcoming ban, municipalities are exploring alternative safety measures while grappling with financial losses incurred from investments in speed cameras. Notably, Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward highlighted the significant costs incurred by her city in anticipation of installing speed cameras and expressed concerns over taxpayers bearing the burden of these expenses.
The mayors’ letter also referenced a study conducted in July 2025 by SickKids hospital and Toronto Metropolitan University, which indicated a notable 45% reduction in speeding vehicles in 250 school zones due to the presence of ASE cameras. The municipal leaders underscored that these statistics translate to fewer injuries, reduced fatalities, and heightened peace of mind for communities and parents, with support for ASE cameras also coming from the Ontario Traffic Council and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.
Despite Ford’s stance, the letter highlighted a survey by CAA South Central Ontario revealing that nearly three-quarters of Ontario drivers endorse ASE in targeted areas like school zones and community centers. While some municipalities, including Brampton and Toronto, have opted to continue their ASE programs despite potential bans, others like Vaughan have chosen to remove municipal cameras in favor of prioritizing traffic-calming initiatives. Vaughan recently suspended its ASE program after a surge in ticketing, while Toronto has faced challenges in maintaining its speed cameras due to incidents of vandalism.
The ongoing debate surrounding ASE measures in Ontario underscores the complex dynamics between road safety, municipal autonomy, and governmental policies, with stakeholders advocating for solutions that balance safety imperatives with financial considerations and community preferences.