Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government has allocated $210 million for municipalities to introduce traffic-calming measures following the enforcement of a ban on speed cameras. Ford had strongly criticized speed cameras, labeling them as a “cash grab” due to the revenue generated for municipalities. Despite this, his government recently passed a ban on their use effective immediately.
Ford argued that speed cameras are ineffective in reducing speeding, but both municipalities and researchers from the Hospital for Sick Children have gathered evidence indicating otherwise. Over 20 mayors had urged Ford to modify the program rather than eliminate it completely, pointing out that this decision shifts the burden of funding road safety measures from law-breaking drivers to all taxpayers.
To address road safety concerns, Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announced the establishment of a $42 million Road Safety Initiatives Fund. This fund will support the implementation of speed bumps, raised crosswalks, roundabouts, new signage, and increased police presence in school and community zones where speed cameras were previously in use. Sarkaria emphasized that the initiative aims to maintain Ontario’s reputation for safe roads while ensuring that municipalities can adopt effective traffic-calming measures without imposing additional costs on drivers.
Municipalities meeting the criteria will have the opportunity to apply for the remaining $168 million from the fund early next year. Ford’s opposition to speed cameras intensified after 17 automated speed cameras were vandalized in Toronto. The ban on speed cameras was included in a red tape reduction bill that the government expedited, limiting discussions and bypassing public consultations.