KITCHENER PAUSES AUTOMATED SPEED ENFORCEMENT CAMERA PROGRAM

On Oct. 28, 2024, the City of Kitchener paused the Region of Waterloo’s automated speed enforcement camera program until they could negotiate on certain aspects of the plan.

In 2021, the Region of Waterloo installed speed cameras in eight school zones.

“We started with just a few to see how it would go because we have a problem with speeding in many of the school zones,” Kari Williams, regional councillor for the City of Kitchener, said.

The speed enforcement cameras promote road safety by encouraging vehicles to travel at lower speeds at community hubs around school locations. The Region of Waterloo operates municipal speed cameras on regional and municipal roadways and installs them on behalf of some of the cities and communities in the region.

During a Kitchener council meeting on Oct 28, the councillors discussed the fines associated with the program.

“One of the issues was when we looked at this program in conjunction with the region. One of the things that we learned about was that fees will double,” Bil Ioannidis, councillor for Ward 7 in the City of Kitchener, said.

He said the Region of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener didn’t consult with Kitchener residents about this topic to help them form informed opinions. According to the Ontario Provincial Act, the newly implemented Municipal Speed Camera program must double its fines compared to current rates. Because of this, The City of Kitchener council is hesitant to continue the program.

“Because of economic times, such as we are experiencing now, we don’t feel residents get the message of the speeding when they get the fine on the normal rate with the province’s price range,” Ioannidis said.

“We feel like when they’re doubling the fines, it’s just a money grab,” he said.

Williams also said Kitchener had done a lot to physically put in infrastructure that would reduce speed in many areas.

“Cameras may not be effective in some instances,” she said. 

Although the program is currently paused, they have no intention of cancelling it.

“We want to have a project. We want to make sure we can dictate the terms of service that we feel Kitchener residents will accept,” Ioannidis said.

“If the community doesn’t like these cameras, we’re going to get a lot of pullback, and the system won’t work,” he said.

Ioannidis wants to ensure that the community will agree with the terms of the program before continuing it.

Instead of the 24/7 surveillance and the expensive fines proposed by the Region of Waterloo, the City of Kitchener wants to implement a time limit for the cameras and install them in other locations where they would have greater use, such as areas with high collision rates and places requiring more traffic and pedestrian safety.

The City of Kitchener said although they are pausing the program they still want to implement it. They just do not like the terms and conditions proposed by the region for the speed camera program.

“We also never signed any agreements with the region or anything that involves revenue sharing,” Ioannidis said.

“I don’t believe in having a system like this. I believe in a system where the pay revenue is neutral,” Ioannidis said. “I prefer not to have a system where it makes money.”

Williams said the region focused on doubling the fines because of their focus on administrative penalties and the fines people will receive for speeding in the area.

“But we don’t have any control over that. That is the province that tells you what the fines are and what the schedule is,” she said.

Ioannidis said the City of Kitchener will continue to work with the region until they can make acceptable decisions about the program.

“The City is in favour of speed cameras, but some technical aspects get in the way,” Williams said.

The City of Kitchener is planning to look into their speed enforcement camera system. They also seek a third-party operator to help them with the camera system.