Automatic radars are all removed in this province, its Prime Minister considers them useless

Ontario fast-tracked this legislation to prevent debates and other normal public hearings. The opposition and municipalities fear the worst in terms of road safety.

Ontario does without all its automatic speed cameras

Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario and Conservative government, justifies this decision. According to him, the speed cameras do not slow down drivers as promised. However, municipalities and researchers from the Hospital for Sick Children are showing the effectiveness of these devices. But for the Prime Minister, it is better to use speed bumps, roundabouts and flashing light signs to guarantee traffic flow.

Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transport, cannot explain precisely when these alternatives will replace the removed radars. “Ultimately, we will have temporary, larger signage installed before the 14th in all municipal areas affected by speed cameras. We will continue to work with municipalities on future funding over the coming weeks, on additional measures they can take to improve traffic calming.”said Prabmeet Sarkaria.

The government is promising a new fund to offset part of the costs following the installation of speed bumps, raised pedestrian crossings and roundabouts. But Doug Ford refuses to communicate the amount allocated. For municipalities, no information has been received.

Burlington Mayor Meed Ward, she and several other mayors have called on Ontario to change the program instead of abandoning it altogether.
“The government should provide the funding and whatever alternative measures they may have should be put in place before speed cameras are removed. Otherwise we have a significant safety gap.”said Meed Ward.

The opposition denounces a law deemed dangerous

For her, signs are not enough, speed bumps are not suitable for busy roads around schools and roundabouts are both impassable and expensive. “Speed cameras work and they are cost effective because it shifts the burden of paying for speed cameras from the taxpayers to the offender.”said Meed Ward.

Marit Stiles, leader of the NDP, is equally concerned about this transition period where there will be no radar and no replacement. “There are a lot of different things we can do certainly to slow people down. But I tell you, if a pedestrian, if a child gets hurt in the meantime, it will be on the Prime Minister’s shoulders.”he declares.

Liberal House Leader John Fraser believes removing speed cameras will make roads more dangerous. The man goes further in his fight against Doug Ford and asserts that the choice of the Prime Minister of Ontario would amount to saying: “I side with the downtown Toronto vandals who tore down speed cameras”.