As the future of speed cameras continues to be called into question, councillors with the Region of Waterloo are looking to hit the brakes on any new, future additions, but not before installing six they planned.
Earlier this month, Premier Doug Ford continued his push to ban the use of speed cameras across Ontario, calling them “cash grabs” and “speed traps.”
He has stated that he will look to introduce new legislation to eliminate those cameras at the earliest opportunity once the legislature resumes later in October.
In the meantime, regional councillors are looking to get ahead of that looming legislation, with Councillor Colleen James introducing a motion that would hit pause on any further previously planned cameras for the time being.
“While the program is delivering safety, the politics around it are shifting,” James said. “The province and Premier Ford have announced an intent to bring forward legislation that could end the automated speed enforcement program.”
She stated during a recent Administration and Finance Committee meeting that the “political uncertainty” needs to be thought of, particularly when it comes to the financial implications of shutting down the region’s speed camera program.
“I’m bringing this forward because we need to be clear about the implications,” James said. “If the province cancels this program overnight, there are contracts in place for equipment, for processing, winding down agreements that all come at a cost.”
Councillor James shared the sentiments from much of the community and other regional councillors as to the importance of the cameras, but said it’s their responsibility to think of the region’s future, along with the current outlook and impacts.
“We do not have legislation right now that says to cancel it. Words have been said, but there is nothing definitive,” James mentioned. “We know the program is changing behaviour, but we can’t expand right now. I think we can commit to keeping this program going until there is formal legislation.”
In either case, looking ahead, James said it’s important for council to have a thorough look at what a full ban on those cameras could mean, but it was an opinion that was met with some hesitancy by other regional councillors.
Councillor Jan Liggett was one of those who voiced some concern, saying the cameras are incredibly important when it comes to the safety of the community’s children in local school zones.
“I want to see the ones that are ready to go, go forward. We have a few of them in Cambridge, and those are in very dangerous areas,” Liggett said.
The mayor noted that the program shouldn’t be rolled back when there is no official legislation put in place, adding that a lot can change before Ontario legislature reconvenes later this month.
“I think that we will see the premier backing off on this because the greater part, the majority of the population is pro-speed cameras,” Liggett said. “The only ones who aren’t for it are those who either don’t understand it or those who think that they should be able to break the law no matter what.”
In an attempt to find a compromise in the interim, Liggett introduced an amendment to the motion, hoping to continue with the six cameras that are ready to be installed at some school zones across the region.
She stated that, even prior to their installation, the “coming soon” signs at those locations, including in Cambridge at Manchester Public School on Dundas Street North, have already shown to be effective in lowering speeds through those zones, justifying their need.
“Since the signs went up that the camera’s coming, I’ve noticed people are starting to slow down, and I’m not the only one going 40 km/h in that area anymore. That makes me feel good about the fact that those kids could be safe there,” Liggett said.
Ultimately, much of regional council agreed with Liggett, saying that lives continue to be lost due to high speeds on roads across the region that do not have cameras installed, seeing progress in areas where those cameras have been set up.
Cameras scheduled to be installed at local school zones through the fall include:
- Dundas Street North in Cambridge, near Manchester Public School
- Three Bridges Road in Woolwich, near Clearview Mennonite School
- Courtland Avenue East in Kitchener, near Courtland Avenue Public School
- Bridge Street West in Kitchener, near Bridgeport Public School
- Lackner Boulevard in Kitchener, near Chicopee Hills Public School
- Weber Street East in Kitchener, near Eastwood Collegiate Institute
The six cameras will continue to be set up as initially scheduled across Waterloo Region through the remainder of 2025, but, at least for the time being, that could be it when it comes to new speed cameras until the political landscape is further developed.
