60 new speed cameras on order might never make it to Mississauga

An order for five dozen new automated speed enforcement cameras in Mississauga has been put on hold as the provincial government tabled legislation on Monday that includes a call for the elimination of the enforcement devices across Ontario.

Furthermore, the 22 speed cameras currently set up across Canada’s seventh-largest city could be turned off as Mississauga city council will consider a motion on Wednesday asking that the ASE camera program be paused until the proposed bill goes through the legislative process at Queen’s Park.

A report from Mississauga’s commissioner of transportation and works Sam Rogers to be discussed at council this week points to the success of the speed camera program in the city since its inception in 2021, but also notes senior city staff have “put on hold all expansion plans including the procurement of additional cameras …” given the Ontario government’s attempt to ban the devices in all municipalities across the province.

Impressed by a program they believe has been successful, City of Mississauga officials in June 2024 renewed the contract for the 22 existing cameras and signed on to add five dozen more in annual installments through 2028.

However, that deal has now been put on hold pending final word on a province-wide speed camera ban.

Meanwhile, the motion to pause Mississauga’s speed camera program, introduced by Ward 11 Coun. Brad Butt, suggests senior city staff cease the program “until the Provincial Legislature has made a final decision on the legislation” that seeks to eliminate ASE cameras in municipalities across Ontario.

The legislation was introduced after Ontario Premier Doug Ford earlier complained the speed cameras are simply a “cash grab” and need to go.

Butt is also seeking the support of his council colleagues to have the city immediately apply “for any applicable funding” from a new provincial fund that, if the legislation passes, will provide municipalities with cash to put in place new road safety measures Ford insists work better than speed cameras.

Under the Ontario government’s plan, the provincial fund will help municipalities implement alternative road safety measures such as speed bumps, roundabouts, raised crosswalks and curb extensions, as well as public education and improved signage, to slow down drivers.

If passed, the proposed legislation will ban the use of ASE cameras immediately.

Mayor Carolyn Parrish and city council sent a letter to Ontario Premier Doug Ford asking that speed cameras remain in school zones should the larger program be eliminated.

Mississauga is among numerous municipalities that have been vocal in their opposition to Ford’s plan to scrap ASE cameras everywhere in the province.

In a “strong letter” to Ford imploring him to reconsider his decision to ban the devices, Mayor Carolyn Parrish said speed cameras have significantly improved road safety in Mississauga school zones and are not a cash grab.

More specifically, she wrote in her letter dated Sept. 26, Parrish argued the automated speed enforcement cameras have been effective in keeping kids, older adults and others safe in some 200 school-area community safety zones across Mississauga since they were first put into use in 2021.

ASE cameras have worked in Mississauga, mayor argues

“This program is an important road safety measure that has proven effective at reducing speeds. We ask that you reconsider a full ban of the program and continue to allow cameras in school zones,” the mayor said in her correspondence to the Premier, sent on behalf of city council. “This ensures they remain an effective tool to improve road safety and not act as a ‘cash grab’.”

If the banning of speed cameras becomes provincial law, Mississauga and other municipalities will be required to, among other things, install new large signs to slow down drivers in school zones by mid-November.

Following that, permanent large signs with flashing lights would have to be in place in school areas by September 2026.

About a month ago, shortly after Ford’s initial anti-speed camera comments, the City of Vaughan ended its ASE camera program.