Ford threatens to scrap speed cameras his policies enabled
Premier Doug Ford is now threatening to compel municipalities to dismantle automated speed cameras, a reversal from his government’s stance six years ago when they originally paved the way.
Premier Doug Ford is now threatening to compel municipalities to dismantle automated speed cameras, a reversal from his government’s stance six years ago when they originally paved the way for their implementation.
Ford on Tuesday called the cameras a “tax grab” and said cities should dismantle them. “If you want to slow down traffic in school, you put up big signs, big flashing lights, (and create a) crossing area, people will slow down,” he said. “This is nothing but a tax grab.”
The comments stand in sharp contrast to Ford’s own words in 2019, when his government passed legislation allowing municipalities to install the devices in school and community safety zones.
At the time, the premier said municipalities deserved “the tools and flexibility they need to keep their residents safe.”
Amendments earlier this year through the provincial budget further expanded Queen’s Park’s power to regulate municipal speed camera programs.
Toronto currently has 150 such cameras in operation.
The city issued about $40 million in fines last year and has already topped $45 million in 2025, according to a statement from a city of Toronto spokesperson.
Mayor Olivia Chow defended the devices Tuesday, saying they protect children and seniors near schools and parks. Ford dismissed their impact on safety, pointing to a repeatedly vandalized camera near High Park in Toronto.
“I’m all about public safety, I’m against taxing the death out of people. What? Five kilometres over? I guess everyone’s breaking the law every day. Get rid of the speed cameras, or I’m going to do it for them.”
Ontario’s highest earning speed camera was knocked down for the seventh time earlier this month.
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