Ontario county eyes speed cameras to monitor traffic despite ban

WELLINGTON COUNTY, Ont. — The county is investigating reusing automated speed enforcement cameras to monitor area speeds when the ban comes into effect next week. 

Inspired by a suggestion from Coun. Matthew Bulmer, county engineer Don Kudo said staff have contacted its automated speed enforcement (ASE) camera contractor, Global Traffic Group, to determine whether the existing cameras can be used to monitor speeds at the county’s seven trial locations for an unknown duration of time after the ban comes into effect on Nov. 14. 

Justifying the suggestion during a county council meeting last week, Bulmer said this will allow the county to gather the data people are looking for without having to switch to different technology. 

“That way it’s an apples-to-apples comparison,” said Bulmer. 

A decision on when to remove the cameras has not been made yet, said Kudo. He previously confirmed the county won’t be penalized for terminating the contract early. 

While no penalty orders will be issued after the ban takes effect next Friday, Kudo said it’s staff’s understanding that drivers who received a ticket before Nov. 14 will still be required to pay. 

The province has also specified that all municipalities with ASE have to install signage about the camera’s removal. 

If ASE is permitted to be used for speed monitoring, Coun. Andy Lennox suggested using the cameras to monitor traffic over a longer period of time to ensure staff get an accurate read of the situation. 

“Traffic didn’t slow down when we first put cameras up; it took some time,” said Lennox. “So when the cameras go away, speeds will probably gradually increase.”

Coun. Jeff Duncan asked whether the Wellington County OPP has the closure of the ASE program on their radar and whether residents should expect enhanced enforcement, resource reallocation or a budget increase for additional traffic officers at the seven camera locations.

Lennox said the province currently has a moratorium on hiring more officers, and he’d like to see the county be more active in its communication with the Attorney General, Solicitor General and Ministry of Transportation. 

Coun. James Seeley later put forward a motion requesting the OPP use Black Cat speed monitoring devices prior to the program’s termination to prove that the cameras do work.

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“I feel a report from the OPP will carry more clout than from a private contractor,” said Seeley. 

The motion failed, with Lennox calling the request “inappropriate.” 

Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.