Ford Bans Speed Cameras, Proposes Surveillance Expansion

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has moved to ban automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras provincewide, calling them a municipal “cash grab.” The decision drew backlash from mayors including Midland’s Bill Gordon and Guelph’s Cam Guthrie and from police-endorsed municipal associations that say ASEs are proven safety tools. Critics note some municipalities rolled out cameras in ways that appeared revenue-driven — Waterloo Region reported about $3 million in six months and officials have projected up to $50 million annually if expanded. Ford has pitched repurposing camera technology toward expanded surveillance/CCTV to fight rising home invasions and auto thefts, citing an existing provincial CCTV grant and saying systems could include automated licence-plate readers to flag stolen vehicles. He says any installations would proceed only with municipal and community approval and supports keeping red-light cameras for safety. Municipal leaders and privacy advocates caution Ford’s office has provided few specifics on scope, funding or privacy safeguards and warn the ban raises unresolved fiscal, safety and oversight questions.