Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced plans to ban speed cameras, labeling them an excessive “tax grab” aimed at revenue generation for municipalities. This statement came during a press conference on Thursday, where Ford claimed residents are frustrated with the cameras, suggesting they are more about collecting fines than ensuring safety. He offered to personally demonstrate traffic calming techniques to mayors, asserting that they are ignoring these alternatives due to financial motives.

The announcement is likely to ignite a conflict with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, who advocates for maintaining the cameras as crucial for road safety. Chow emphasized the necessity of these devices amidst increasing traffic-related fatalities, noting a recent incident where a 15-year-old was killed by a speeding driver. She pointed to studies indicating that speed cameras effectively reduce speeding and enhance safety for all road users.

Ford’s government previously permitted the installation of these cameras in 2019, but he claims only 37 of Ontario’s 444 municipalities still support them. The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police criticized the proposed ban, highlighting the importance of speed cameras in changing driver behavior and reducing accidents. Chow proposed modifications to fines and signage related to camera enforcement to increase awareness and safety.



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