Following this week, there will be a halt on introducing new speed cameras in Waterloo region until further guidance is received from the province regarding the program’s future. The decision came after Premier Doug Ford announced his intention to prohibit speed cameras. Regional councillors voted 14-1 during a meeting to pause any additional cameras beyond the current 28 in operation or scheduled to go live soon.
Currently, there are 22 operational cameras, with six more set to become active this week. These cameras are located at Manchester Public School in Cambridge, Clearview Mennonite School in Woolwich Township, and near schools in Kitchener including Courtland, Bridgeport, Chicipee Hills, and Eastwood Collegiate.
Initially, the motion did not include the six upcoming cameras, but Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett advocated for the installation of the camera near Manchester Public School. She highlighted the positive impact of the camera program in slowing down speeding drivers near schools.
Coun. Joe Gowing supported the pause, citing concerns about the program’s transparency and potential costs associated with setting up new cameras that may need to be removed shortly. He emphasized the importance of clear communication with the community regarding the program’s operations.
Coun. Michael Harris, who previously expressed skepticism about speed cameras, acknowledged a change in his perspective. He emphasized that the revenue generated from the cameras would be reinvested into road safety measures, dispelling the notion that it is solely a money-making scheme for the municipality.
Despite calls from 20 mayors across the province to reconsider the ban on speed cameras, Premier Ford affirmed his decision to move forward with the prohibition. The mayors, including those from Cambridge, Waterloo, and Guelph, co-signed a letter urging municipalities to retain speed cameras in school zones. Ford reiterated his stance against the continued use of speed cameras in Ontario, emphasizing his commitment to the ban.
