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Big change alert: Ontario is repealing automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras under Bill 56 – Building a More Competitive Economy Act, 2025, effective November 14, 2025. If you’ve been flashed before that date, your ticket still stands—fines will be processed and must be paid even if they arrive after the repeal.
What stays and what goes:
- ASE cameras: Gone after November 14, 2025.
- Red light cameras: Still active. Tickets will continue as usual.
- Community safety zones: Still in place, with doubled fines for offences like speeding and careless driving issued by Ottawa Police Services.
What’s replacing ASE:
- New provincially mandated school zone signs will go up at all 72 schools that currently have ASE cameras. The City’s Traffic Services will install them as soon as they receive the approved designs from the Province. Existing signs don’t meet the new standards.
Did ASE work? Yes—big time:
- Speed limit compliance at the eight pilot sites jumped from 16% pre-cameras to 57% in three months, 69% after one year, and 81% after three years.
- High-end speeding (15 km/h+ over the limit) fell from 14% pre-cameras to 4% in three months, 2% after one year, and just 0.7% after three years.
Why this matters: Aggressive driving, especially speeding, is a major factor in fatal and serious collisions in Ottawa. Kids near schools are more vulnerable—drivers need to be extra cautious.
Safety reminders near schools:
- Slow down and watch for school zone signage.
- Be ready to stop—kids can be unpredictable.
- Make eye contact with children before they cross.
- Wait until kids clear the crossing completely.
- Follow all signs and signals. It’s the law.
- Stop when a crossing guard raises a STOP paddle.
The bigger picture: Ottawa’s Road Safety Action Plan is still pushing toward zero fatal and major injury collisions through education, enforcement, and engineering. Even without ASE, the focus remains on making streets safer for everyone.
Bottom line: ASE cameras are ending, but your responsibility isn’t. Drive slow, pay attention, and keep school zones safe.
