Brampton, ON — Councillor Rowena Santos introduced a motion today at Committee of Council in response to Premier Doug Ford’s decision to cancel Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) across Ontario. Santos warns the move will jeopardize public safety, undo years of progress, and waste millions already invested in Brampton.
“I am deeply disappointed by the Premier’s decision,” said Councillor Santos. “Like many other municipalities, Brampton has just completed installing new cameras and has made significant investments in this program, which has already reduced speeding, prevented collisions, and protected our most vulnerable residents. To dismantle it now undermines public safety and wastes taxpayer dollars.”
Santos emphasizes that Brampton’s ASE program has been implemented by following best practices endorsed by the Ministry of Transportation and the Ontario Traffic Council. “Thresholds for ticketing are based on expert consultation, signage is posted 90 days in advance, and all camera locations are published online,” she said. “The average recorded speed for a ticket issued in Brampton is 15.7km/h over the posted limit, demonstrating that Brampton’s existing threshold is both reasonable and aligned with best practices. This program saves lives.”
Her motion calls on the Province to work with municipalities to make accommodations that standardize implementation, transparency, and accountability in ASE programs rather than banning them outright. “It was provincial legislation in 2019 that encouraged municipalities to invest in and implement ASE. If the Premier believes some municipalities have implemented ASE incorrectly, that is no reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater,” Santos said. “As Premier, he has the power to fix this through their original regulation, by adjusting speed thresholds, improving transparency, changing fine structure, and ensuring revenues go back into road safety. Eliminating the program entirely is reckless and unnecessary.”
Councillor Santos’ motion calls for: The continuation of ASE with accommodations to address provincial concerns, immediate enhancements to Brampton’s ASE program- including limiting use to school areas, adjusting thresholds for non-peak hours to catch excessive speeding and stunt driving, Provincial legislation requiring consistency across municipalities, increased transparency, reinvestment of ASE revenues into road safety initiatives, and full reimbursement of municipal costs should the Province cancel the program.
“Brampton is very close to getting this right,” said Santos. “I urge Premier Ford to meet with Mayor Patrick Brown and other municipal leaders to find a balanced compromise. The challenge now is not to abandon what works, but to preserve safety while addressing concerns.”
The motion tabled today at Committee of Council and was seconded by all members of Council and passed unanimously.
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Media Contact: rowena.santos@brampton.ca
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