Speed camera program cancelled by this major Ontario city

A major Ontario city has scrapped its speed camera program.

The City of Vaughan announced Monday that it has ended its automated speed enforcement camera program effective immediately.

The move comes as Ontario Premier Doug Ford pushes for municipalities to get rid of the devices, calling them a “cash grab.” He said if municipalities don’t remove them, he will.

Vaughan first launched its ASE program in April, but the issuance of fines was put on pause on June 4 at 5 p.m.

Drivers were then given warning notices instead of monetary penalties.

“At the start of the summer, we paused the City’s Automated Speed Enforcement program so staff could evaluate if we could strike the right balance between protecting our most vulnerable road users and ensuring no unfair financial burden is placed on residents at a time of financial uncertainty,” Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca said. 

“Upon review, it is clear the balance tips too heavily toward monetary penalties on residents. That is why I brought forward a motion to end the program, which was approved today by council.”

The change doesn’t apply to York Region’s cameras, which remain operational.

Del Duca said the City will also be asking the region to consider suspending its ASE program on regional roads in Vaughan.

The City of Vaughan has ended its Automated Speed Enforcement program effective Sept. 15. The City continues to advance numerous road safety programs through the MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy. Learn more: https://t.co/TcOI4KvH2h pic.twitter.com/43qPU3cMYm

— City of Vaughan (@City_of_Vaughan) September 15, 2025

“I will continue to work with council and staff to fight against reckless driving, reduce speeding and protect all road users and pedestrians,” Del Duca said. 

The City said efforts will now focus on other traffic-calming measures and continuing to look at other ways to reduce speeding in community safety zones.

Meanwhile, the association representing Ontario’s municipalities has urged Ford to reconsider his plan to get rid of automated speed cameras, saying it will put pedestrians at risk.

The premier has suggested that “big huge signs” and “big flashing lights” would more effectively deter speeding.

But the Association of Municipalities of Ontario told Ford in a letter that there is real evidence the cameras improve road safety, including a July study from SickKids and Toronto Metropolitan University that found they reduced speeding by 45 per cent in Toronto.

— With files from The Canadian Press