Ontario's provincial government has introduced legislation to ban speed cameras across the province. This move is part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing regulatory burdens and enhancing the economy. Premier Doug Ford's government tabled the bill on the first day of the fall legislative session at Queen's Park.

Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stated that speed cameras are not effective in preventing speeding. He described them as a "cash grab" for municipalities. Despite research from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto indicating that speed cameras significantly reduce traffic speeds, Ford and Sarkaria argue that the cameras do not address the immediate issue of speeding.

Sarkaria emphasized that the best approach is to prevent speeding at the moment it occurs, rather than issuing tickets weeks later. He noted that some cameras continue to generate tens of thousands of tickets annually, suggesting they are not solving the problem. The new legislation will repeal the automated speed enforcement program outlined in the Highway Traffic Act.

The bill also grants the minister authority to direct municipalities to install signs in school zones. While traffic calming measures like speed bumps and roundabouts are not included in the bill, Sarkaria's office indicated these will be addressed through regulations. Both Ford and Sarkaria have committed to implementing these measures in school zones instead of relying on speed cameras.

The province has reported that 37 municipalities currently have speed cameras, while over 400 do not. Sarkaria stated, "There are other ways to approach this rather than punishing pocketbooks, and that’s what we really want to focus on."

The legislation is part of a larger bill aimed at reducing red tape, introduced by Red Tape Reduction Minister Andrea Khanjin. This bill also seeks to facilitate the movement of healthcare workers between provinces and streamline the Clean Water Act, which was established following a deadly drinking water crisis in Walkerton, Ontario, in 2000.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones clarified that the changes are not intended to attract healthcare workers from other provinces but to eliminate barriers for those wishing to practice in Ontario. Environment Minister Todd McCarthy stated that the revisions to the Clean Water Act aim to balance the protection of drinking water with the need to avoid unnecessary testing and monitoring processes.

The bill is expected to become law this fall, with the province aiming for a 35% reduction in permits focused on economic development by 2028. A centralized digital permitting system will also be created as part of these changes.