Guelph shutting down speed camera program

It’s the end of the road for the City of Guelph’s speed camera program, as it will be turning the cameras off and taking them down before the weekend rolls around.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and the provincial government had made it known for weeks that they hoped to ban speed cameras across the province, and with Bill 56 being pushed forward, those hopes are now becoming a reality.

The Royal City currently has 12 speed cameras across its streets and local school zones, but as of Nov. 14, they’ll all be shut down.

“The City is coordinating the removal of all cameras with our vendor that operates and maintains the speed cameras,” said the City of Guelph in a statement on its website. “We expect all cameras will be removed by Thursday, Nov. 13. Once the cameras are removed, drivers are still required to follow posted speed limits.”

This is happening despite Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie siding with other mayors across the province in urging the Ontario government to find a compromise on the program, rather than a full ban. Premier Ford, however, stated that he would not change course on the move.

Even though the cameras will be coming down, the municipality has continued to remind residents that, until that time, tickets will still be issued for drivers who are caught speeding by those speed cameras.

“Until Nov. 14, Guelph will continue to run its automated speed enforcement program,” the city said. “Per the Ontario Court of Justice, fines must be paid for any speeding tickets issued through the program. Fines must also be paid even if the ticket arrives in the mail after Nov. 14.”

It stated that, even though the program will be coming to an end, the City of Guelph will continue to make efforts to make those city streets safer in its absence.

“The City remains committed to making Guelph roads safer for everyone. We will continue working towards reducing the number of serious injuries and deaths on Guelph roads to zero.”

Region of Waterloo’s Speed Camera Program

While the City of Guelph has pushed forward with shutting down its speed camera program, the Region of Waterloo is less certain on that potential move.

No decisions have been officially given by the region, which is still weighing its options when it comes to the 28 listed speed cameras it has invested in.

The region installed six additional cameras, which it had already paid for throughout the fall in local school zones, but agreed that it would no longer be progressing further until clearer decisions were made on a provincial level.

Now that Bill 56 has been pushed through Ontario legislation, decisions will need to be made on what the future holds for those regional cameras.

For the time being, the cameras will remain in effect, with no clear timeline set on what will happen moving forward.

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