Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s plan to ban automated speed cameras will impact Niagara Region, where there are currently eight municipal speed cameras operating.
Speaking at a press conference in Vaughan, Ford called speed cameras “a cash grab” and is proposing alternative solutions to try to ensure drivers don’t speed while also protecting taxpayers’ wallets.
“At a time when governments at all levels should be doing everything they can to lower costs and make life more affordable, too many municipalities are using speed cameras as a cash grab,” said Ford. “Enough is enough.”
“Instead of making life more expensive by sending speeding tickets to drivers weeks after the fact, we’re supporting road safety measures that will prevent speeding in the first place, keep costs down and keep our streets safe.”
Over the past six years, municipalities across Ontario, including Niagara Region, have installed 700 speed cameras province wide. Many were actively planning to expand the usage of speed cameras, which is why the Ford government says it is acting now.
“Municipal speed cameras have become nothing more than a tool for raising revenue,” said Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sakaria. “Our government is focused on measures that will 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.”
The proposed legislation that would ban municipal speed cameras would also introduce new requirements for municipalities to install large new signs to slow down drivers later this fall, to be replaced next fall with permanent large signs with flashing lights.
The province also plans to encourage municipalities to implement other traffic calming measures, including speed bumps, speed cushions, raised crosswalks, curb extensions, and roundabouts.
In the Niagara Region, there are currently three municipal speed enforcement cameras in St. Catharines, and one each in Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara Falls, Welland, and West Lincoln. Niagara Region’s speed cameras operate on a rotating basis, shifting to eight different locations once every 90 days.
Niagara Region argues that its automated speed enforcement program is working, contrary to the assertions of Ford and his government. The Region points to evidence from the first year of its enforcement program showing that camera usage led to the average driving speed to drop by nine kilometres per hour after full deployment.
The Region also argues that it gives drivers plenty of notice about speed enforcement cameras, with “Municipal Speed Camera Coming Soon” signs installed 90 days before camera enforcement beings and “Municipal Speed Camera In-Use” signs present when the cameras are active.
Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff offered his perspective on the automated speed camera ban in a comment share with The Niagara Independent.
“For too long, municipalities have used these cameras as cash cows, with poor or non-existent signage and very little transparency,” said Oosterhoff. “We are going to be supporting common sense measures like signs and lights that improve traffic safety without penalizing moms on their way to soccer practice for going three kilometres over the speed limit.”
Jay Goldberg is the Canadian Affairs Manager at the Consumer Choice Center. He previously served as the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
