What to know
- Ontario’s ban on automated speed cameras took effect Nov. 14, prompting Mayor Olivia Chow to warn it will undermine road safety and lead to significant job losses.
- Chow’s office says the loss of the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program threatens frontline positions and key initiatives such as the 911 crossing guard program and traffic safety officers.
- Toronto city council is asking the province to reimburse more than $30 million in affected operating programs and restore over $150 million in lost road-safety capital funding.
- The province recently announced a $210-million Road Safety Initiatives Fund, but the city maintains the speed camera ban still leaves a major funding gap.
With Ontario scrapping speed cameras, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow cautions that city safety programs and jobs could be on the line.
On Nov. 14 the Ford government’s ban on automated speed cameras officially kicked in under the Ontario’s Building a More Competitive Economy Act, which prohibits the use of speed cameras in the province.
The Ford government has repeatedly called the cameras a “cash grab” costing Ontario drivers millions in dollars.
However, Chow, who has consistently raised concerns with the government’s ban, is also warning loss of the automated speed enforcement (ASE) programs will lead to layoffs.
“The Mayor believes the Provincial Government’s decision to remove speed cameras from Toronto streets will make our roads less safe and eliminate frontline safety jobs,” Press Secretary for the mayor Braman Thillainathan said to Now Toronto in a statement.
Last week, city council supported the mayor’s motion requesting the province to reimburse the city for the programs being cut by the ban, including $31.2 million for the 911 crossing guard program and $3.9 million for 18 traffic safety police officers.
Chow has previously stated that the loss of the ASE program could lead to nearly 1,000 layoffs according to media reports.
“The Province has created a gap that must be filled to avoid cuts to the programs that keep people safe. If they do not step up, we will need to find savings elsewhere, and the Mayor will work with the City to do that,” Thillainathan said.
In addition, the motion called on the province to restore critical road safety capital funding lost with the elimination of the ASE program, including $95.8 million for local safety improvements, $13.92 million for traffic calming, and $40.60 million for traffic lights and other safety measures.
“The Mayor remains committed to continuing conversations with the Province and working together in the best interests of all Torontonians,” Thillainathan said.
Last week, the province announced a $210-million investment through the Road Safety Initiatives Fund (RSIF) for municipalities.
The funds will be used to help municipalities build and install new road safety measures including speed bumps, raised crosswalks, roundabouts, high-visibility signage, and increased police enforcement.
