Toronto's speed cameras are once again at the centre of controversy after a wave of vandalism hit multiple units this week.
According to the Toronto Star, five cameras were vandalized within a single 24-hour period, prompting renewed debate at City Council.
Back in April, the city rolled out 75 additional automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras, doubling the total to 150. These new devices were evenly distributed across all city wards based on traffic data, with a focus on areas prone to speeding and collisions — especially in Community Safety Zones where children, seniors and other vulnerable pedestrians are more likely to be present.
The goal was for people driving in the city to slow down and make the roads safer. But the rollout hasn't exactly been smooth.
Since the new units went live, they've triggered backlash and heated discussions among councillors. During Thursday's City Council meeting, members debated for more than an hour over the perceived unfairness of the cameras and their impact on residents.
Toronto's latest controversy comes on the heels of Vaughan's decision to pause its own speed camera program until September, after it issued over 32,000 speeding tickets in just three weeks.
Here's what you need to know about the growing tension around Toronto's speed cameras.
Why does Toronto have automated speed cameras?
Toronto first introduced ASE cameras in July 2020. While 50 cameras were physically installed in January of that year, ticketing didn't begin until the summer due to a trial period and delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2022, another 25 were added.
Fast-forward to April 2025, and the City of Toronto completed the installation of 75 additional cameras, bringing the total number to 150 ASE units citywide.
The cameras are evenly distributed across all 25 wards, focusing on drivers who exceed the speed limit.
They've been placed in areas with a known history of speeding and collisions, with many located in Community Safety Zones — near schools, parks, and other areas.
A 2023 study by researchers from The Hospital for Sick Children and Toronto Metropolitan University found that Toronto's ASE cameras were effective in significantly reducing both the number of speeding vehicles and overall vehicle speeds.
In a press release issued in April, the City noted that 25 of the new cameras were permanently mounted on poles to help prevent vandalism. The remaining units are mobile, meaning they can be rotated between locations, catching speeding drivers off guard in different areas of Toronto.
What's the drama?
Since their introduction, automated speed cameras have been a major point of contention in Toronto.
While some residents see them as a necessary tool for improving road safety, others view them as a cash grab that unfairly targets drivers.
The controversy resurfaced on Thursday, June 26, when the Toronto City Council debated the issue for over an hour.
According to the Toronto Star, Councillor Anthony Perruzza planned to table a motion calling for a pause on all speed camera ticketing. He wanted the City to prove that drivers are being given sufficient warning before cameras are installed — and to ensure that the system isn't penalizing what he called "conscientious" drivers.
He also stated that the cameras were becoming "speed traps" that had no real impact on road safety in communities.
Perruzza introduced a motion directing City staff to "ensure tickets are dispensed fairly and clearly" by reviewing the hours of camera operation, exploring the possibility of issuing a warning for first-time offenders when a new camera is installed, and finding ways to make camera locations more visible to drivers.
The motion was defeated.
However, Mayor Olivia Chow successfully passed a motion at the council to install larger, more transparent, and more visible signage in areas where new speed cameras are installed.
The motion was later amended to also require City staff to report back in July on the feasibility of limiting the number of tickets a driver can receive from a new camera before being issued their first official infraction notice.
Where are cameras being vandalized?
Vandalism of Toronto's speed cameras isn't a new phenomenon — but this week marked a spike in incidents.
According to Global News, the an automated speed enforcement camera on Parkside Drive near High Park has been repeatedly targeted, including being cut down five times in six months and even tossed into a semi-frozen lake last December.
That camera alone has issued over 66,000 tickets, generating more than $7 million in fines, according to the Toronto Star.
Now, the issue is escalating again. Toronto councillors learned on Thursday that five ASE cameras were vandalized in a 24-hour period between Tuesday, June 24 and Wednesday, June 25.
Cameras at The East Mall, south of Faludon Court, and Sheppard Avenue East, west of Don Mills Road, were both cut down. Cameras at Pharmacy Avenue, near Sherwood Avenue and McCowan Road, south of Sandhurst Circle, had damaged lenses.
The camera at Pharmacy Avenue, near Galsworthy Avenue, was found facing in the wrong direction, although Toronto police say it may have been an accident.
The camera at Eglinton Avenue West, east of Martin Grove Road, was also reportedly cut down earlier this week.
How much does a speeding ticket cost?
If your vehicle is detected travelling over the posted speed limit by Toronto's ASE system, a violation notice is mailed to the registered owner — regardless of who was behind the wheel.
The total amount payable is based on Ontario Regulation 355/22 under the Highway Traffic Act. There's no flat rate — instead, fines are calculated based on how far over the speed limit you were driving:
- 1–19 km/h over: $5 per kilometre
- 20–29 km/h over: $7.50 per kilometre
- 30–49 km/h over: $12 per kilometre
- 50 km/h or more: $19.50 per kilometre
In addition to the set fine, the total payable includes a victim fine surcharge and a licence plate access fee.
However, because the camera system cannot identify the individual driver, no demerit points are issued, and no one's driving record is affected.
Before a ticket is issued, all images are reviewed by provincial offence officers to confirm the violation and ensure accuracy.
To check posted speed limits across the city, residents can use the City of Toronto's Vision Zero Mapping Tool.
Where are Toronto's automated speed cameras?
Toronto's ASE cameras are evenly distributed across all 25 wards in the city.
The program is designed to reduce speeding in high-risk areas, particularly in Community Safety Zones, where children, seniors, and other vulnerable road users are more likely to be.
Below is the complete list of all 150 ASE camera locations across Toronto.
Ward 1 — Etobicoke North:
- Humberwood Blvd., south of Pinecone Dr.
- Martin Grove Rd., south of Silverstone Dr.
- Rexdale Blvd., west of Highway 27
- Silverstone Dr., near Midhurst Dr.
- Islington Ave., north of Fordwich Cres.
- Kipling Ave., north of Rexdale Blvd.
- St. Andrews Blvd., west of Islington Ave.
- Golfdown Dr., east of Turpin Ave.
Ward 2 — Etobicoke Centre:
- Mill Rd., near 411 Mill Rd.
- Bloor St. W., east of Forest View Rd.
- The East Mall, south of Capri Rd.
- Martin Grove Rd., south of Eglinton Ave. W.
- Eglinton Ave. W., east of Martin Grove Rd.
- The Westway, west of Brampton Rd.
- Dundas St. W., east of Briarly Ln.
- Royal York Rd, north of La Rose Ave.
Ward 3 — Etobicoke-Lakeshore:
- Thirty First St., near Ash Cres.
- The East Mall, south of Faludon Court
- Birmingham St., west of Kipling Ave.
- Kipling Ave., south of New Toronto St.
- Sixth St., south of Lake Shore Blvd W.
- Stanley Ave., near Elizabeth St.
Ward 4 — Parkdale-High Park:
- Jane St., near Page Ave.
- Runnymede Rd., north of Colbeck St.
- Parkside Dr., south of Algonquin Ave.
- Jameson Ave, south of Laxton Ave.
- Indian Rd. Cres., north of Humberside Ave.
- Bloor St. W., east of Dundas St. W.
Ward 5 — York South-Weston:
- Church St., west of Uphill Ave.
- Jane St., north of Lambton Ave.
- Lawrence Ave. W., near Martini Dr.
- Rockcliffe Blvd, near Rockcliffe Court
- Humber Blvd, near Louvain St.
- Keele St. near Nashville Ave.
- Scarlett Rd., south of Edenbridge Dr.
Ward 6 — York Centre:
- Sheppard Ave. W., near Seeley Dr.
- Wilson Ave., near 1235 Wilson Ave.
- Keele St., north of Wandle Ave.
- Dufferin St., near Stanstead Dr.
- Faywood Blvd, near Norcross Rd.
Ward 7 — Humber River-Black Creek:
- Duncanwoods Dr., west of Gracedale Blvd.
- Blue Haven Cres., north of Ardwick Blvd.
- Jane St., south of Courage Ave.
- Grandravine Dr., opposite #310 Grandravine Dr.
- Spenvalley Dr., near Cobb Ave.
- Derrydown Rd., west of Sentinel Rd.
Ward 8 — Eglinton-Lawrence:
- Lawrence Ave. W., west of Varna Dr.
- Glenmount Ave., near Madoc Dr.
- Wilson Ave., east of Saunders St.
- Orfus Rd, west of Dufferin St.
- Avenue Rd., near Castlefield Ave.
Ward 9 — Davenport:
- Dufferin St., south of Dufferin Park Ave.
- Caledonia Rd., north of Rogers Rd.
- Dufferin St., north of Norton Ave.
- Oakwood Ave., near Biggar Ave.
Ward 10 — Spadina-Fort York:
- Dundas St. W., near Carlyle St.
- Lower Jarvis St., south of The Esplanade
- Eireann Quay, south of Queens Quay W.
Ward 11 — University-Rosedale:
- Beverley St., near D'Arcy St.
- Lippincott St., south of Vankoughnet St.
- Mount Pleasant Rd., near South Dr.
Ward 12 — Toronto-St. Paul's:
- Avenue Rd., near Oaklands Ave.
- Avenue Rd., near Oaklands Ave.
- Yonge St., near Glen Elm Ave.
- Russell Hill Rd. S., near Coulson Ave.
- Davisville Ave., near Acacia Rd.
Ward 13 — Toronto Centre:
- Isabella St., west of Sherbourne St.
- Jarvis St., near 433 Jarvis St.
- Pembroke St., south of Dundas St. E.
Ward 14 — Toronto-Danforth:
- O'Connor Dr., west of Lankin Blvd.
- Plains Rd., near Milton Rd.
- Cosburn Ave., near Roosevelt Rd.
- Mortimer Ave., east of Carlaw Ave.
- Coxwell Ave., north of Casci Ave.
- Blake St., south of Strathcona Ave.
- Sproat Ave., near Curzon St.
Ward 15 — Don Valley West:
- Fenn Ave., north of Gordon Rd.
- York Mills Rd., west of Banbury Rd.
- Denlow Blvd., near Hamlet Gate
- Thorncliffe Park Dr., near 11 Thorncliffe Park Dr.
- Ranleigh Ave., east of Yonge St.
- Leslie St., north of Overland Dr.
- Blythwood Rd., west of Strathgowan Cres.
Ward 16 — Don Valley East:
- Victoria Park Ave., north of Southmead Rd.
- Fenelon Dr., near Karen Rd.
- Lynedock Cres., east of Fenside Dr.
- Brookbanks Dr., west of Parkwoods Village Dr.
- The Donway W., near Duncairn Rd.
- Elvaston Dr., near Halkin Cres.
- Don Mills Rd., north of Lawrence Ave. E.
Ward 17 — Don Valley North:
- Old Sheppard Ave., west of Brian Dr.
- Van Horne Ave., east of Bickerton Cres.
- Sheppard Ave. E., west of Don Mills Rd.
- Don Mills Rd., near Memory Gardens Ln.
- McNicoll Ave., near Sexton Cres.
- Don Mills Rd., south of Seneca Hill Dr.
Ward 18 — Willowdale:
- Hilda Ave., near Crossen Dr.
- Senlac Rd., south of Horsham Ave.
- Drewry Ave., near Fairchild Ave.
- Spring Garden Ave., west of Bayview Ave.
- Maxome Ave., south of Gustav Cres.
- Doris Ave., near Elmwood Ave.
- Beecroft Rd., near Lorraine Dr.
- Finch Ave. W., east of Duplex Ave.
Ward 19 — Beaches-East York:
- St. Clair Ave. E., west of Marilyn Cres.
- Lake Shore Blvd. E., east of Winners Circle
- Lake Shore Blvd. E., east of Winners Circle
- Glebeholme Blvd., west of Woodmount Ave.
- Main St., south of Swanwick Ave.
Ward 20 — Scarborough Southwest:
- Edge Park Ave., east of Victoria Park Ave.
- Danforth Rd., east of Winter Ave.
- Warden Ave., south of Cataraqui Cres.
- Midland Ave., south of Aylesworth Ave.
- East Haven Dr., near Leatherwood Gardens
Ward 21 — Scarborough Centre:
- Midland Ave., north of Gilder Dr.
- Brimorton Rd., near Camlac Place
- Pharmacy Ave., near Sherwood Ave.
- Pharmacy Ave., near Galsworthy Ave.
- Lawrence Ave. E., near Canlish Rd.
- Ellesmere Rd., near Gladeside Rd.
Ward 22 — Scarborough-Agincourt:
- Pharmacy Ave., near 3200 Pharmacy Ave.
- Pharmacy Ave., north of Huntingwood Dr.
- Midland Ave., near Montgomery Ave.
- Kennedy Rd., south of Cardwell Ave.
- Midland Ave., south of Finch Ave. E.
- Birchmount Rd., south of Huntingwood Dr.
Ward 23 — Scarborough North:
- Finch Ave. E., west of Neilson Rd.
- Havenview Rd., near Kentish Cres.
- Crow Trail, near Horseley Hill Dr.
- Markham Rd, north of Verne Cres.
- Nugget Ave., east of Transfer Place
- Huntingwood Dr., west of Mollard Rd.
- Brimwood Blvd, east of Brimley Rd.
- McCowan Rd., south of Sandhurst Circle
Ward 24 — Scarborough-Guildwood:
- Bellamy Rd. N., near Northleigh Dr.
- Military Trail, near 341 Military Trail
- Ellesmere Rd., west of Scarborough Golf Club Rd.
- Morningside Ave., north of Beath St.
- Orton Park Rd., near 350 Orton Park Rd.
- Markham Rd., south of Greencedar Circuit
- Slan Ave., near Spraywood Gate
- Galloway Rd., south of Lawrence Ave. E.
Ward 25 — Scarborough-Rouge Park:
- Coronation Dr., east of Budworth Dr.
- Hupfield Trail near Glanvil Cres.
- Murison Blvd., near United Sq.
- John Tabor Trail, near Duffort Court
- East Ave., near Maberley Cres.
- Meadowvale Rd., south of Claresholme Dr.
Unlike Vaughan, automated speed cameras are here to stay in Toronto (for now). Stay safe out there, and watch your speed!
