Waterloo Region Pauses Speed Camera Expansion Amid Ford Ban Plans

UPDATE: The Region of Waterloo is poised to pause its speed camera expansion program as tensions rise over Premier Doug Ford’s proposed ban on speed cameras. Councillor Colleen James will present a motion to the Administration and Finance Committee on Tuesday that could halt the hiring of additional staff and the installation of 11 new speed cameras in school zones this fall.

The urgency of this motion comes on the heels of Ford’s announcement last week regarding legislation aimed at eliminating speed cameras across Ontario. If approved, the motion will also mandate staff to investigate the potential impacts of ending the speed camera program entirely, although it will not affect the existing 17 speed cameras currently operational in the region.

The program has been controversial, with Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic openly opposing speed cameras since their introduction. In a statement to 570 NewsRadio on Monday, Vrbanovic emphasized the importance of alternative traffic calming measures such as speed bumps and traffic bollards, stating, “Different tools work better at different points in time, and ultimately what we want to do is make our streets as safe as possible.”

The speed camera initiative has resulted in an astonishing 56,000 tickets issued in the first half of 2025, averaging $108 per ticket. The Region claims that the program has successfully reduced traffic speeds in school zones by an average of 15 km/h. While the initiative has yet to become profitable, officials assert that any revenue generated will be reinvested into road safety projects.

As the debate heats up, residents are left questioning whether the speed camera program is a legitimate safety measure or merely a revenue-generating tactic. This issue has sparked significant discussions within the community, especially after reports emerged that two speed cameras were vandalized over the weekend, with at least one sustaining damage.

With Premier Ford’s government set to introduce this legislation in fall 2023, stakeholders in the Waterloo Region are closely monitoring the situation. The outcome of Councillor James’s motion could drastically alter the future of speed enforcement in the area.

What’s next? Committee members will deliberate the motion on Tuesday, and the community awaits clarity on whether the speed camera program will continue its expansion or face termination. The implications of this decision will resonate throughout the region, influencing traffic safety and enforcement strategies.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.