Adedokun Waliyu 
The Ford government has announced plans to introduce legislation this fall that will eliminate speed cameras in Ontario.
It was reported on the government’s intentions on Wednesday. The decision comes after Ford spent weeks slamming the cameras at various news conferences.
“In a few weeks, our government will introduce legislation to ban speed cameras in Ontario, to protect taxpayers and drivers and stop them from being gouged,” Doug Ford said at a press conference on Thursday.
It comes after dozens of speed cameras have been damaged on Toronto streets over the last six months, including one on Parkside Drive that has been cut down at least six times.
Ford said the province will also introduce requirements for municipalities with existing speed cameras in school zones to install large new signs to slow down drivers by mid-November 2025. These signs will feature permanent, large displays with flashing lights, to be in place by September 2026.
The Ford government advised municipalities to consider alternative traffic-calming measures, including speed bumps, raised crosswalks, curb extensions, and roundabouts, in addition to improved signage, education, and awareness campaigns.
“Instead of punishing people retroactively with speeding tickets days or weeks after the fact, we are supporting practical, proactive traffic calming measures that stop people from speeding in the first place,” added Ford.
Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, said that speed cameras “have become nothing more than a tool for raising revenue.”
“Our government is focused on measures that truly protect the safety of all Ontarians, and we will continue working with municipalities to ensure Ontario maintains its position as one of the safest jurisdictions in North America.”
Jess Spieker with Friends and Families for Safe Streets said she believes the premier is rewarding vandals by introducing this legislation.
“Our premier seems to be taking acts of criminal vandalism like the cutting down of lifesaving speed cameras as if they’re policy demands and acquiescing,” said Spieker.
Ford has suggested that road design changes, such as adding more speed bumps, large signs, and flashing lights, are more effective ways to slow traffic.
“Those don’t work. They’ve had 100 years to work, and we have a road safety crisis on our hands,” said Spieker.
“Every single day in this province, between one and two people are killed in a preventable crash. Those are shattered and devastated families, those are broken hearts,” she added. “I think this is the most nauseating form of populist politics where he is willing to get people killed to do something he thinks plays well with his voter base.”
Speed cameras are also not as unpopular as the premier believes they are.
A 2025 CAA survey of 1,500 Ontario drivers found 73 per cent actually support the use of speed cameras in areas with schools and community centres and 76 per cent say they deter speeding. A recent SickKids study also found they cut speeding around Toronto schools nearly in half.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has been supportive of the cameras despite the vandalism.
“Speed kills. Torontonians, especially those most vulnerable, like children, need to be safe,” said Chow.
Ontario’s Police Chiefs have penned a letter to Ford, insisting the cameras save lives.
“Fatalities are down. The roadways are statistically becoming safer … because of all the different things we’re doing, and speed cameras happen to be one of those things,” said Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw.
“A fine for speeding is a voluntary payment that you choose to make by choosing to speed. Anybody who does not wish to pay these fines is perfectly free to obey the law and drive safely,” added Spieker.
