Ontario’s police chiefs are voicing strong support for speed cameras after Premier Doug Ford threatened to eliminate them across the province.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police said automated speed enforcement has proven effective in curbing dangerous driving and allows officers to focus on broader public safety concerns. The group urged the government to keep the program in place, warning that removing cameras could undermine road safety.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario also called on Ford to reconsider, arguing that scrapping the devices would put pedestrians and cyclists at greater risk.
Ford’s comments came after 17 speed cameras were cut down in Toronto over two nights earlier this month. The premier dismissed the program as a “cash grab” and said alternatives such as larger warning signs, flashing lights, speed bumps, and roundabouts would do more to slow drivers.
Evidence contradicts that claim. A study published in July by SickKids and Toronto Metropolitan University found that speed cameras reduced speeding in Toronto by 45 percent.
The debate highlights a growing divide between provincial leadership and local officials over traffic enforcement, as municipalities look for proven tools to protect communities while balancing concerns about fairness and cost.
