Vaughan cancels automated speed enforcement program

Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca says residents want the city to focus on crime and safety in their homes.

Automated speed cameras in the city of Vaughan are no more.

Effective immediately, the municipality has suspended its Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program on all city streets.

Today, during a special meeting, councillors supported a motion introduced by Mayor Steven Del Duca to terminate Vaughan’s speed camera program and instead focus its efforts on advancing other traffic-calming measures as well as continuing to explore other approaches to reduce speeding in Community Safety Zones, especially near schools.

The motion also entails making a request to York Region to also suspend its ASE program on Regional roads in Vaughan.

Further, Del Duca’s motion also asks to consider additional traffic-calming measures through the city’s 2026 budget process.

“As Mayor, the safety and well-being of all residents is my top priority. At the start of the summer, we paused the City’s Automated Speed Enforcement program so staff could evaluate if we could strike the right balance between protecting our most vulnerable road users and ensuring no unfair financial burden is placed on residents at a time of financial uncertainty,” he said in a news release.

“Upon review, it is clear the balance tips too heavily toward monetary penalties on residents. That is why I brought forward a motion to end the program, which was approved today by Council, and we will be asking York Region to consider suspending their Automated Speed Enforcement program on Regional roads in Vaughan. I will continue to work with Council and staff to fight against reckless driving, reduce speeding and protect all road users and pedestrians.”

It’s not clear if the move was motivated by Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s recent comments threatening to remove speed cameras if municipalities didn’t do so first.

• Experts push back on speed camera criticism

Vaughan’s ASE program only launched this past April but was put on hold on June 4 amid concerns from residents. The municipality indicated that this move was made to “provide staff with an opportunity to review its implementation.”

• Vaughan hits pause on speed camera program citing rollout concerns from residents

Motorists should note that any penalty orders issued for speeding infractions prior to June 4 at 5 p.m. are still valid and must be paid or appealed according to the instructions on the order. Refunds will not be issued for payment made on these orders, it said.

In the meantime, Vaughan said it would continue to focus on several road safety initiatives to reduce speeding through its MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy. The goal of this plan is to “form and direct the City’s vision to provide a safer, more efficient and sustainable transportation system,” the municipality said.

Drivers should note that speed cameras operated by York Region continue to be in effect on some regional roads, including Bathurst Street, north of New Westminster Drive/Atkinson Avenue; Islington Avenue, south of Rutherford Road; Keele Street, north of Dina Road; Major Mackenzie Drive West, west of Lawford Road; Rutherford Road, east of Islington Avenue; Weston Road, north of Ashberry Boulevard; and Yonge Street, south of Arnold Avenue.