Guelph to Turn Off Speed Cameras November 14th

The City of Guelph has announced that all automated speed enforcement cameras will be turned off on November 14, with full removal expected by November 13. The City currently operates 12 mobile cameras that have rotated through neighbourhoods and community safety zones since 2023 as part of its Vision Zero strategy.

Fines issued before November 14 must still be paid, even if the ticket arrives afterward, as required by the Ontario Court of Justice.

This update comes at a time when many Guelph residents have already expressed strong concerns about the effectiveness and value of the automated enforcement program. A local community poll showed more than 90 percent of respondents wanted the cameras removed, citing frustration over costs, lack of local benefit, and limited evidence that the system meaningfully changed driver behaviour.

Transportation research and previous articles have highlighted that physical traffic-calming infrastructure – including speed humps, raised crosswalks, curb extensions, lane narrowings, and intersection redesigns – consistently delivers better long-term safety outcomes. These engineering solutions actively change road conditions and reduce speeds at all times, not just when a camera is present.

Critics of the program have also pointed out that automated enforcement can become an expensive system to operate, with a significant portion of the process managed by external vendors rather than directly strengthening local road-safety measures.

In its announcement, the City reaffirmed its commitment to road safety and to advancing the goals of its Vision Zero action plan, which includes 68 measures designed to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on Guelph roads. With the cameras soon gone, the focus now shifts toward solutions proven to deliver real, lasting improvements for neighbourhood safety.