Ontario's Speed Camera Overhaul Ignites Municipal Fury: Is Road Safety at Risk?

A seismic shift in Ontario's traffic enforcement landscape is brewing, and it's sending shockwaves through municipalities. The provincial government's omnibus Bill 191, formerly known as Bill 185, proposes significant changes to how automated speed enforcement (ASE) and red-light cameras operate, sparking fierce criticism from city halls across the province who warn of a looming crisis for road safety.

At the heart of the contention is a new requirement: police officers must now review every image and video captured by these cameras before a charge can be laid.

This seemingly minor tweak has ignited a firestorm of opposition, with municipalities arguing it will create a massive administrative bottleneck, overwhelm police resources, and ultimately undermine the very purpose of these crucial safety tools.

The government, led by former transportation minister Caroline Mulroney, asserts that the bill is designed to enhance accountability and efficiency, ensuring that cameras are used for safety and not merely as revenue generators.

Mulroney emphasized that the current system is "broken" and that these changes aim to streamline processes, improve court outcomes, and free up officers for frontline duties. However, municipalities vehemently disagree, seeing the bill as a step backward for public safety.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has been particularly vocal, describing the bill as "highly problematic" and warning that it could cripple traffic enforcement.

Their primary concern revolves around the tight 30-day window within which charges must be laid. If police review processes lead to delays exceeding this period, tickets could be dismissed en masse, rendering the cameras ineffective and emboldening dangerous driving behaviors.

Major urban centres, which heavily rely on automated enforcement to manage traffic and protect vulnerable road users, are sounding the alarm.

Toronto, for instance, operates 100 speed cameras and 122 red-light cameras, issuing hundreds of thousands of tickets annually. The revenue generated from these tickets is often reinvested into road safety programs, pedestrian infrastructure, and traffic calming initiatives. Cities fear that a collapse in enforcement will not only make roads less safe but also deplete funds essential for these vital programs.

Ottawa's mayor, Mark Sutcliffe, expressed deep disappointment, stating that the bill would make roads less safe.

Similarly, officials in Mississauga and Brampton have voiced strong opposition, highlighting the lack of consultation with municipalities on a matter that directly impacts their ability to ensure public safety. They argue that local governments are best positioned to understand and address their unique traffic enforcement needs.

The current system allows provincially appointed provincial offences officers to review camera evidence and lay charges, a process designed to be efficient and free up sworn police officers for more critical duties.

By shifting this responsibility back to police, critics argue the bill ignores the operational realities of modern policing and traffic management. With police forces already stretched thin, adding thousands of additional review tasks could divert resources from urgent matters and compromise investigative work.

As the debate rages, the future of automated speed and red-light enforcement in Ontario hangs in the balance.

Municipalities are urging the government to reconsider, warning that if Bill 191 proceeds as currently drafted, the province could witness a surge in dangerous driving, a decline in road safety, and a significant setback in efforts to protect communities, especially around schools and pedestrian-heavy areas.

The coming months will determine whether the province and its cities can find common ground to ensure both accountability and effective road safety.