Regional officials await word on next steps after speed cameras banned across the province

How will Waterloo Region pay for the removal of speed cameras as the province hits the brakes on the program? CTV’s Karis Mapp reports.

After months of threats, the Ford government officially passed a bill on Thursday afternoon to ban speed cameras across the province.

Bill 56, also known as the Building A More Competitive Economy Act, was introduced on Oct. 20. It included a provision to ban speed cameras across the province.

The bill was fast tracked through the legislature, introduced for a third reading on Wednesday and passed on Thursday afternoon by a vote of 69-41. The bill is expected to receive royal assent on Monday, and the law would come into force on Nov. 14.

On Friday, local elected officials told CTV News they don’t agree with the decision.

“I think I’ve been very clear that I think [speed cameras] are very effective speed management tools,” said Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe.

“I regret the decision that the province has made to say that we can’t use them anymore.”

According to the Region of Waterloo’s website there are 27 active cameras in school zones throughout the area.

“Whichever side you’re on with speed cameras, we still have a speeding problem in the Region of Waterloo, especially with concern in our school areas,” said Doug Craig, a regional councillor.

It is still unclear how the region plans to deal with the speed cameras that have already been installed.

“The Region of Waterloo is assessing the impacts of Bill 56, Building A More Competitive Economy Act, 2025. More information on local changes will be shared when available,” a statement from the region said on Friday.

With limited communication about what the plans are moving forward, municipalities worry about costs.

“[The speed cameras will] be taken down and we have a provider we’re going to have to pay. The regional taxpayers, they’re going to have to pay,” said Craig.

The provincial government is encouraging municipalities to focus on other traffic calming measures such as speed bumps instead of speed cameras.

“You can’t put them across multi-lane roads like a regional road and a number of our schools front onto University Avenue or Bridgeport [Road],” McCabe said.

McCabe said residents have been reaching out to her to voice their opinions.

“Some of them didn’t like the speed cameras, but I can tell you, the overwhelming majority of people like speed cameras in school zones.”

Councillor Craig added that it’s disappointing that the government intervened without consultation from locally elected officials.

“It’s unfortunate that they’re not talking to community members about what they want,” he said.