Province announces $210M investment in road safety initiatives
The Ontario government has officially banned the use of municipal speed cameras, marking a significant shift in its approach to traffic safety enforcement. In place of automated ticketing systems, the province will invest $210 million through a new Road Safety Initiatives Fund (RSIF) to support physical traffic-calming measures in school and community safety zones.
The ban takes effect today, following the passage of the Building a More Competitive Economy Act, which received Royal Assent on November 3. The legislation responds to public concerns about the widespread use of speed cameras as revenue tools rather than safety measures. According to the province, more than 700 cameras were deployed across Ontario since 2019, with a single Toronto unit issuing over 65,000 tickets and collecting nearly $7 million in fines.
In place of these devices, the province is shifting its focus to infrastructure-based safety solutions. Funded measures will include speed bumps, raised crosswalks, roundabouts, high-visibility signage, and increased police enforcement.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is standing up for drivers by banning cash-grab speed cameras and supporting proven road safety measures that will make a real difference,” said Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria. “Ontario has some of the safest roads in North America and our new Road Safety Initiatives Fund will build on this record by ensuring municipalities have the resources they need to implement proven traffic-calming measures without making life more expensive for drivers.”
The province is providing an initial $42 million in immediate funding to municipalities that had previously deployed speed cameras. The remainder of the fund will be distributed through a formal application process beginning in early 2026. Municipalities will need to submit detailed construction plans outlining how they intend to implement eligible infrastructure.
Health and safety professionals, particularly those focused on public and occupational road safety, are encouraged to collaborate with municipalities as early planning begins. With the withdrawal of automated enforcement, successful road safety strategies will depend on integrated approaches involving engineering controls, community partnerships, and enforcement.
The RSIF complements existing programs such as the Road Safety Community Partnership Program and the RIDE grant, which fund education campaigns and impaired driving enforcement respectively.
Ontario continues to rank among the top five jurisdictions in North America for road safety, boasting one of the lowest fatality rates per 10,000 licensed drivers. The new fund is intended to sustain that record while addressing growing concerns around the financial and public trust impacts of automated enforcement.
