Speed camera program left $700K surplus

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

A new County of Brant report concludes that Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras reduced speeding in a local school zone and generated a significant surplus before the province banned the program last fall.

The Administration and Operations Committee received Report RPT-0086-26 on Feb. 17, outlining the safety and financial impacts of the ASE program and next steps following its removal.

The County launched ASE on Feb. 3, 2025, beginning with a camera on Silver Street in Paris near North Ward Public School. A second location on Beverly Street in St. George became operational in September 2025 before the Province passed Bill 56, banning municipal ASE programs effective Nov. 14, 2025.

Despite the ban, staff continued to collect and analyze traffic data to assess the program’s impact.

According to the report, speeding prevalence at the Silver Street location dropped significantly while the camera was operational.

Prior to ASE installation, between 61 and 68 per cent of vehicles were recorded speeding in the zone. After the camera went live in February 2025, that figure fell to 45 per cent and continued to decline to 23 per cent by October 2025.

Average and maximum speeds also decreased during the period ASE was active. During school hours, average speeds dropped by approximately 7–8 km/h, and the maximum recorded speed fell from 100 km/h to 65 km/h.

The analysis found that while early post-removal data shows an increase in speeding since Nov. 14, speeds have not immediately returned to pre-ASE levels, suggesting the tool may have had a lasting behavioural impact.

Staff cautioned that more time and data are required to fully assess long-term trends.

The financial review shows the program operated on a revenue-positive basis.

Between February and Nov. 14, 2025, the County issued 13,066 tickets, averaging 46 per day. As of Dec. 31, 2025, 10,540 tickets or 81 per cent, had been paid.

After deducting the victim surcharge and MTO search fee, total revenue from fines issued was $1,168,813. Program expenses, including software, staffing and administrative costs, totalled $461,099 over 2025 and 2026.

The report estimates a total program surplus of $707,714 by the end of 2026.

In accordance with the County’s Road Safety Reserve Fund Policy, council is being asked to transfer the surplus into the Road Safety Reserve Fund to support future traffic calming initiatives.

Staff also recommend that ongoing close-out costs, including the screening officer position through 2026, be funded from the reserve, with the role transitioning to the general operating budget in 2027 to support the Administrative Penalty System.

During committee discussion, Coun. John Bell questioned what alternatives would realistically achieve the same results.

“If we can’t put ASE in these locations, what would be the traffic calming measures that would achieve the same affect, and can we do it and are we going to do it?” Bell asked.

Greg Demers, Director of Roads for the County of Brant, said staff are working with municipal partners and the province to determine next steps.

“We are talking with our partners around Ontario – we are all in the same boat. Currently we are working with the province, they have sent us signage which we have installed and hopefully by August flashing lights to install in the area,” Demers said.

Demers noted there are unique challenges at both former ASE locations.

Silver Street is a main corridor coming into Paris and accommodates truck traffic, making traditional measures such as speed humps disruptive and impractical. On Beverly Street in St. George, agricultural equipment frequently travels through town, creating similar limitations.

“So some of these schools built on arterial roads we can’t do traffic calming measures — that is why they were great for ASE,” Demers said.

Bell responded, “So that’s the best the government can do is give us flashing lights.”

Demers added that the County is still awaiting clarity on the specific limitations tied to provincial funding and how those dollars can be used.

Following the provincial ban, Ontario introduced the Road Safety Initiatives Fund (RSIF), a $210-million program to support alternative traffic calming measures. The County has already been allocated $147,028 through the first phase of funding.

Staff are evaluating options for former ASE locations. Potential measures on Silver Street include raised intersections and raised pedestrian crossings, while Beverly Street may see enhanced signage, radar speed boards and improved pedestrian crossing lighting.

A second phase of RSIF funding is expected to launch in early 2026, and staff are seeking council direction to apply.

The report also notes that the County is exploring participation in a University of Waterloo research project examining the impacts of ASE and its removal across municipalities.

As previously reported, council has voiced opposition to the provincial ban and supported sending letters urging the Province to reconsider its decision.

In the latest report, staff reiterate that the County remains supportive of a comprehensive provincial review of ASE regulations rather than an outright prohibition.

Council is expected to continue monitoring traffic data in former ASE zones and receive a future informational update as additional post-removal data becomes available.