WELLINGTON COUNTY – It seems Premier Doug Ford has made a speedy decision to ban speed cameras in Ontario and is slated to introduce legislation to that effect this month.
The ban covers the use of municipal automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras, blocking the programs as a form of revenue.
On Sept. 9, Ford called speed cameras “nothing but a tax grab” and threatened to scrap them entirely.
On Sept. 25, the premier told the public his government will introduce legislation to ban speed cameras “to protect taxpayers and drivers and stop them from being gouged.”
County councillor Gregg Davidson told the Advertiser it is “very unfortunate the provincial government is going down the road of removing the cameras instead of just changing the legislation that they’ve created.”
Davidson chairs the county’s roads committee and has been a staunch supporter of the county’s one-year ASE pilot program.
He noted the government has various ways to address the issue of speed cameras and “they’re choosing to use a hammer instead of a screwdriver.”
Asked about the county’s next steps, Davidson said, “We are still waiting on the actual provincial legislation, which hasn’t even been tabled yet.
“There is still time for the premier and the government to change their minds.”
He listed many groups that have publicly supported speed cameras, including the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, Canadian Automobile Association, The Hospital for Sick Children and Toronto Metropolitan University.
“For the government to come out and say this is not working, is not telling the entire truth,” Davidson said.
The county is set to continue with the program until “we’re told we can not have a program,” he said.
If speed cameras need to be removed, it won’t come at the county’s cost; it will be handled by contractor Global Traffic Group.
County engineer Don Kudo stated in an email to the Advertiser, “It is unfortunate that [the province plans] to cancel ASE without consulting with the municipalities to find ways to possibly change and improve ASE use across the province.”
He noted the ASE trial was intended to gain data and experience to improve traffic safety and application of ASE.
Contacted by the Advertiser for comment, OPP media relations officer Matthew Burton stated, “We aren’t involved in the speed camera program, nor (are we) able to comment on that matter.”
Ford has said a new provincial fund will be established to help municipalities implement traffic-calming measures to replace speed cameras, including: speed bumps, flashing signs, roundabouts, raised crosswalks and curb extensions.
