Ontario school boards urge Ford to keep life-saving speed cameras

Ontario’s school boards are now joining mayors and police chiefs in asking Premier Doug Ford’s government to rethink its plan to remove automated speed cameras. These cameras, installed to protect children and reduce speeding near schools, have become a point of debate in the province.

The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) released a statement on Monday urging the provincial government to “improve and refine” the speed camera program rather than “dismantle a proven, life-saving safety system.” They stressed that the cameras make school zones safer and save lives.

Premier Doug Ford announced at the end of September that his government would introduce legislation to remove automated speed cameras. Ford called the cameras a “tax grab” and said they do not effectively slow down drivers. According to reports, vehicles registered to Ford’s own cabinet ministers have received 23 tickets from speed cameras over the past three years.

The cameras were first introduced through a law passed by the previous Liberal government and later regulated under Ford’s administration. Supporters of the program argue that the cameras have reduced speeding and improved safety in areas where children are present.

More than 20 mayors across Ontario wrote a letter asking Premier Ford to reconsider the decision to remove the cameras. The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario also sent similar letters, expressing concerns about public safety. Now, school boards have added their voices, stressing the importance of the program in protecting children.

In their statement, the school boards said, “We call on the provincial government to improve and refine ASE, not eliminate it. We urge the province to work collaboratively with the people who know their communities well — local municipalities, local school boards, local law enforcement, and local public health. Our children deserve the strongest protections we can provide.”

Supporters of automated speed enforcement (ASE) point to a study by SickKids Hospital, which showed that speeding in school zones dropped by about 45 percent where cameras were installed. They argue that removing cameras could put children at risk and reverse the safety gains made over the past years.

Premier Ford has suggested that traffic near schools can be slowed using other measures, such as large signs with flashing lights, roundabouts, and speed bumps. While these methods may help, critics say that they are not as effective as cameras in consistently controlling speeding and keeping children safe.

The debate comes at a time when road safety around schools is a growing concern. Many parents, teachers, and local officials believe that automated speed cameras are an essential tool to prevent accidents. By issuing tickets to speeding drivers, the cameras act as a deterrent and encourage safer driving habits in school zones.

Removing the cameras could also increase the burden on local police forces, who would have to monitor school zones manually. This may reduce their ability to respond to other emergencies or patrol wider areas of the community. Supporters argue that keeping the cameras would allow police resources to be used more effectively while still maintaining high safety standards near schools.

The OPSBA and other organizations are urging the government to work with local authorities to find solutions that improve the system rather than dismantling it. This could include better placement of cameras, increased community awareness programs, or combining cameras with other traffic calming measures to make school zones even safer.

Many officials also emphasize the emotional impact of traffic accidents involving children. Automated speed cameras are seen as a preventive measure that saves lives and prevents injuries, ensuring that children can walk or bike to school safely.

While Premier Ford focuses on alternative traffic measures, school boards, mayors, and police chiefs are calling for a collaborative approach. They argue that a well-designed speed camera program is proven, effective, and backed by data. Instead of removing it, refining the program could strengthen safety in school zones across Ontario.

The discussion about automated speed cameras is ongoing, and parents, educators, and local leaders continue to push for measures that prioritize children’s safety. The province now faces the decision of whether to remove cameras entirely or work with communities to enhance a program that many believe has already saved lives.

With safety around schools at the heart of this debate, school boards and other authorities hope the government will listen to the experts and maintain tools that protect Ontario’s children every day.