A new survey indicates that a strong majority of Ontarians support keeping speed cameras active in school zones, despite a proposed provincial bill seeking to ban them.
Premier Doug Ford recently announced his government’s plan to eliminate speed cameras across Ontario, calling the devices a “cash grab” that fail to meaningfully improve safety. The proposal, part of Bill 56 — the Building a More Competitive Economy Act, 2025 — was tabled this week by Red Tape Reduction Minister Andrea Khanjin and has now passed its second reading in the Legislature.
However, several municipal leaders — including Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish, and Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward — have voiced strong opposition to the proposed ban, citing evidence that speed cameras have reduced dangerous driving near schools.
Mississauga city officials report that since launching its automated speed enforcement program in 2021, driver speeds near school zones have dropped significantly. Supporting this claim, a recent study conducted by researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children and Toronto Metropolitan University found a 45 per cent reduction in speeding incidents around Toronto school zones after the installation of speed cameras.
Ontario’s Big City Mayors — a group representing municipalities with populations over 100,000 — also submitted a joint letter to the Premier urging the province to maintain the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program.
“We believe that the ASE program is a necessary tool to keep our communities safe, ensuring the protection of vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, children, and seniors,” the mayors wrote. “A total ban on ASE would reverse years of progress on safety in school zones.”
Public opinion appears to be aligned with the municipal leaders. According to an online poll conducted by Insauga.com, out of 10,273 respondents, 7,292 people — or 71.8 per cent — said cities should be allowed to keep speed cameras in school zones, while 28.2 per cent opposed the idea.
As debate continues at Queen’s Park, community advocates and municipal officials warn that removing speed cameras could endanger pedestrians and children — and undo measurable progress in traffic safety across Ontario communities.