Toronto’s automated speed-enforcement program faces its toughest test yet after 17 cameras were cut down this week and Premier Doug Ford warned he’ll scrap the initiative if city council won’t. The vandalism adds fuel to a growing fight between Queen’s Park and city hall over whether the devices improve road safety or unfairly punish drivers. More than 800 incidents of damage have been reported this year, with the latest wave following Ford’s comments that the cameras are “not fair” and his nod to Vaughan’s temporary pause after public backlash. Mayor Olivia Chow has doubled down, saying the cameras save lives by protecting children and seniors and urging the city to stay the course.
City data shows the busiest camera this year sits on O’Connor Drive west of Lankin Boulevard, issuing nearly 19,000 tickets. Earlier, officials acknowledged city vehicles had received 190 tickets totaling more than $18,000. Council recently rejected a motion from Councillor Anthony Perruzza to review ticketing and ensure fines are issued “fairly and clearly.”
Supporters cite safety gains, pointing to a SickKids–Toronto Metropolitan University study (2020–2022) showing a 45 per cent drop in drivers exceeding the limit near camera sites. The CAA more recently reported that 73 per cent of Ontario drivers slow down when approaching a camera. Ford argues the system nails motorists for being only five to 10 km/h over the limit and says he has seen cameras far from school zones. He wants more municipalities to follow Vaughan’s lead and says if Toronto council doesn’t end the program, he’ll move to intervene this fall.
CTV News Toronto is inviting residents to share their experiences — whether they received a ticket they felt was unfair, racked up multiple fines for minimal speeding, or changed their driving because of the cameras — by emailing torontonews@bellmedia.ca with name, general location, and a phone number for potential follow-up.