Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government has allocated $210 million for municipalities to introduce traffic-calming measures as it moves forward with the prohibition on speed cameras. Ford had strongly criticized speed cameras, labeling them as a “cash grab” due to the revenue they generate for municipalities. Despite this, his government recently passed a ban on speed cameras, effective immediately.
Ford has maintained that speed cameras are ineffective in reducing speeding, but research conducted by municipalities and the Hospital for Sick Children has shown otherwise. Over 20 mayors had appealed to Ford to modify the program instead of scrapping it completely, expressing concerns that funding for road safety measures in their areas will now come from all taxpayers rather than from drivers who violate speed limits.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announced the establishment of a new Road Safety Initiatives Fund, providing an initial $42 million for initiatives like speed bumps, raised crosswalks, roundabouts, enhanced signage, and increased police presence in school and community zones previously monitored by speed cameras. Sarkaria emphasized that the fund aims to support municipalities in implementing effective traffic-calming measures without burdening drivers with additional costs.
Municipalities meeting the criteria will have the opportunity to apply for the remaining $168 million in funding early next year. The government’s opposition to speed cameras intensified after 17 automated speed cameras were vandalized in Toronto. The decision to ban speed cameras was part of a bill aimed at reducing bureaucratic processes, which was expedited by the government, bypassing public consultations and limiting debate.