Doug Ford Claims Speed Cameras Are a ‘Tax Grab’ After Legalization

The Ontario government, led by Premier Doug Ford, has shifted its stance on automated speed cameras, which were legalized in 2019 as a measure to enhance road safety. Recently, Ford described the cameras as a “tax grab,” following revelations that municipalities are issuing a substantial number of tickets for minor speeding violations.

In December 2019, Ford, responding to persistent lobbying from then-Toronto mayor John Tory, authorized municipalities to install automated speed enforcement systems. Prior to this, previous legislation under the Liberal government had set the stage for such cameras, but no decisive action was taken until Ford’s administration enacted new provincial regulations. At that time, Caroline Mulroney, then transportation minister, emphasized that these regulations would enable local officials to create “responsible, transparent and effective programs to promote road safety.”

The drive for speed cameras was supported by Kinga Surma, who served as associate transportation minister. Her office asserted that the cameras were designed to protect vulnerable road users by limiting their use to school zones and community safety areas with speed limits under 80 km/h.

Fast forward to now, and the narrative has changed. Ford recently claimed, “This is nothing but a tax grab, folks,” after citing data from the City of Toronto showing a surge in tickets issued for minor infractions. He pointed out that in three months, drivers received 32,000 tickets for speeding just two kilometres over the limit, with municipal governments collecting “hundreds of millions of dollars.” Ford dismissed the argument that these cameras effectively reduce speeding.

The sudden reversal in Ford’s position has raised eyebrows, particularly as he has disregarded calls from experts and organizations to maintain the speed cameras. A recent study by SickKids and Toronto Metropolitan University indicated that speed cameras have successfully reduced speeding by 45 percent in Toronto. Notably, both the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police have urged the government to uphold its original decision.

In recent public appearances, Ford has promised to devise alternative strategies to control traffic speed without relying on cameras. Critics, however, assert that this reflects a broader pattern of the Ford administration reversing its earlier policies. John Fraser, a Member of Provincial Parliament representing the Ontario Liberal Party, stated, “Doug Ford just simply wants to do what’s popular — he wants to be popular.” He emphasized the necessity of making decisions that ensure safety around schools, warning against being swayed by public opinion.

This pivot on speed cameras mirrors the government’s approach towards supervised drug injection sites. Last summer, the province announced plans to close several of these facilities, despite the fact that many were initiated and funded by the Ford government in early 2019, in response to a growing overdose crisis. In October 2018, then-health minister Christine Elliott indicated that the government was supportive of such sites based on extensive community reviews.

The decision to close these sites has also drawn criticism, particularly as seven of the ten slated for closure were established under the same administration. Fraser argued that these actions reflect a lack of commitment to policy and indicate a greater concern for public perception.

As Ford continues to navigate these policy reversals, the impact on road safety and public health remains to be seen. The debate surrounding speed cameras and supervised consumption sites highlights the challenges faced by policymakers in balancing public opinion with effective governance.