For Councillor Rowena Santos, the debate around speed cameras isn’t about politics — it’s about protecting families and saving lives. Every week, her office hears from parents worried about speeding in their neighbourhoods. Many of these concerns focus on school zones, where children cross busy streets every morning and afternoon. “We know that speed cameras work,” Santos explained in a recent CBC interview. “They slow drivers down, prevent collisions, and ultimately save lives.”
A Tool That Residents Support
Brampton has surveyed residents multiple times, and the results are clear: the majority want speed cameras, especially near schools. Parents know that even small increases in speed can mean the difference between life and death. At 50 km/h, if a child is struck by a car, their chance of survival is only about 15%. At 60 km/h, survival drops to just 5%. “Residents want their kids to be safe when walking to and from school,” Santos said. “That’s the bottom line.”
To support the continuation of the program, the City of Brampton has put together a letter campaign here.
More Than Just Cameras
Critics have argued that cameras are a “cash grab” and that speed bumps are enough. But as Santos points out, Brampton already has more than 900 speed bumps, as well as flashing lights, signs, and other traffic-calming measures. “You can’t put speed bumps everywhere,” she said. “As a parent myself, when I wake up in the morning, I don’t think about being a driver — I think about keeping my son safe on his way to school.”
Standing Up for Brampton Families
What’s frustrating for Santos and many other municipal leaders is that it was the provincial government that originally gave cities permission to use speed cameras back in 2019. Now, the province is moving to ban them without even a conversation. “What we want is dialogue,” Santos said. “Brampton has adopted fair thresholds — drivers only get a ticket if they’re going 11 km/h or more over the speed limit. We’ve focused cameras on school zones, where residents overwhelmingly support them. This is about safety, not revenue.”
A United Call Across Ontario
Brampton isn’t alone. Cities large and small — from Ottawa and Hamilton to Toronto and rural towns — are calling on the province to keep this safety tool in place. “This feels like a punch in the face to municipalities that are just trying to protect families,” Santos said. “Let’s not throw away something that works.” At the end of the day, Councillor Santos believes the message is simple: safe streets mean stronger communities. And for Brampton, that starts with keeping children safe in their own neighbourhoods.
