Ontario Officially Bans Speed Cameras

Ontario has officially banned automated speed enforcement cameras, marking the end of a program that began nearly a decade ago to make roads safer for children and pedestrians.

Premier Doug Ford’s government passed legislation on Oct. 30, 2025, requiring all speed cameras in the province to be removed within two weeks. The move is part of Ford’s ongoing effort to eliminate what he calls “cash-grab” policies.

How Did We Get Here

Speed camera snapped off its base lying on the ground next to the road. (Source: Facebook)

Ontario first introduced the legal framework for speed cameras in 2017, allowing municipalities to install them in school zones and community safety areas. The goal was to reduce speeding and collisions through automated enforcement rather than police patrols.

By 2019, cities including Toronto, Ottawa and Kitchener had installed dozens of cameras. Support grew quickly at first, but over time, frustration mounted among drivers who said the system had turned into a source of revenue rather than a safety measure.

In September 2025, Ford called the cameras “a tax on drivers” and announced plans to ban them province-wide. His government said municipalities should focus on traffic-calming alternatives such as speed bumps, raised crosswalks and flashing warning signs.

Public Backlash

The announcement has triggered mixed and often heated reactions across Ontario. Many residents argue the decision will make neighbourhoods less safe, particularly around schools, while others say there are better ways to prevent speeding.

“I oppose it,” one Kitchener parent told EBY News. “It’s annoying, but it makes me slow down. As a mother of a very active toddler who plays outside, I think removing them is dangerous.”

Still, some drivers welcomed the move, saying the cameras do little to change behaviour. “Traffing calming and education, not fines,” another resident said.

What Happens Next

The legislation gives municipalities until mid-November to take down all devices. Local governments are expected to introduce alternative safety measures throughout 2026, though a specific schedule has not been confirmed.

Until the law takes full effect, existing speed-camera tickets must still be paid.

Research by Toronto Metropolitan University and the Hospital for Sick Children has shown that automated cameras helped reduce vehicle speeds by up to 45 per cent in school zones. Critics say without them, Ontario could see a rise in speeding and traffic-related injuries.

“We want safer roads, not more taxes,” Ford says. (Source: Wikimedia)

Local Voices on The Ban

To capture how Ontarians feel about the change, EBY News hit the streets of Kitchener.

Watch our one-minute video below to hear what people in Kitchener had to say about Ontario’s speed-camera ban, and whether they see it as a step toward safety or a step back.