Doug Ford to abolish Automated Speed Enforcement
Doug Ford has proposed to ban and remove Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE), colloquially known as speeding cameras. Ford argues that speed cameras are simply tax grabs, while some city mayors argue their removal will undo their safety efforts in school zones. Between both arguments is the university’s student body, composed of both drivers and pedestrians.
Doug Ford stands against speed cameras because he views them as “cash grabs.” He claims the speed cameras fail at their intended purpose: slowing traffic down. He commented in the /Guardian/, “I will stand in an area where you want to calm the traffic, and I’ll show you how to calm the traffic instantly. It’s not that they don’t know how to do it. They don’t want to do it because it’s a cash grab.” Ford’s claims to protect Ontario residents from institutional and bureaucratic exploitation is seen in other proposed bills as well: Bill 33 with school boards and Bill 60 with hospitals. This initiative targets the perceived exploitation by city offices through ineffective speed cameras. Contrary to Ford’s assertions, however, a July 2025 study by SickKids and Toronto Metropolitan University showed that speed cameras’ existence reduced speeding by 45 percent. Moreover, while pushing for fewer speed cameras, Ford seemingly advocates for “Cameras on Crime,” an initiative to counter car theft. This leads one to ask: is it the camera, the taxes, or something else entirely? Ford argues that the two initiatives are differentiated by resident consent. He argues that if residents do not wish to install community security cameras, the project will not move forward.
Ford’s promises are framed as benefiting Ontarians, but many municipal leaders have expressed their disagreement. The mayors in the districts where Ford intends to remove the speed cameras have urged him against it. In a letter addressed to the Ford government, they argued that this move “would reverse years of progress on safety in school zone[s]” and “endanger lives.” Instead, the mayors proposed alternatives like warning tickets after first offences, and corresponding the cameras’ operation times with the days of operation for schools and community use times. The mayors add that if Ford intends to continue with his initiative, he is to cover the bill. They request that the province reimburse them for the cost of installing and upkeeping the speeding cameras. Additionally, they ask that the Ford government cover the additional policing costs from removing the camera and the cost for installing road bumps. It remains uncertain whether the Ford government will continue forward. If they do, Ontario residents can only wonder where the reimbursement funds will come from.
Where does the University of Toronto’s student body stand on this discourse? As of 2018, the number of teens aged 15-24 receiving their license dropped 20 percent in Alberta, with likely similar rates for Ontario. This statistic implies a significant percent of the student body are pedestrians. While domestic students may be familiar with traffic laws, the same may not be true for international students. According to the University of Toronto’s 2024-25 Fall Enrollment, international students made up 29.3 percent of the student body. People navigate new countries’ social and legislative laws through their home country’s perspective. Different countries have different traffic laws—some nations may be more lenient towards jaywalking than Canada, whereas others may not—thus making international students and immigrants accident-prone as motorists and pedestrians. Speed cameras provide protection for those unaware of Ontario driving culture as well as those who are aware.
Concurrently, the speed cameras pose a financial problem for the students who do drive. The fines go from $3 for less than 20 kilometres per hour, to $9.75 for over 50 kilometres per hour. Students are one of many groups with precarious finances, and often feel they run on limited time. According to researchers Tania Blanksby and Ryan Naylor, students spend on average 4.5 days per week on campus, spending approximately 14 hours studying and 51 minutes on average travelling to and from campus. While the study focuses on STEM students, the figures are likely similar for all students. They constantly have to tackle due dates, presentations, and professors who might not tolerate tardiness. Hence why these fines and cameras are certain to affect these students’ financial and academic positions. But should their concerns trump other students’ safety?
The financial effects of these cameras should not be understated, but neither should the safety risks that come with removing them. While Ford’s argument that the cameras are simply cash grabs has been refuted, his focus on residents’ finances is important, particularly when Canada is in an economic low point. Simultaneously, cameras address important safety concerns, particularly in spaces predominately occupied by children, the elderly, or newcomers. These are the people most likely to be negatively affected if Ford were to continue with his plan.