Ban speed cameras? Not so fast, protesters tell Doug Ford Artwork

Closer Look - Insightful, credible, unfiltered conversations that matter

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find. This new podcast from Village Media — ‘Closer Look’ — is all about the stories we tell. Every weeknight, hosts Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith go beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.

All Episodes

Closer Look - Insightful, credible, unfiltered conversations that matter

Ban speed cameras? Not so fast, protesters tell Doug Ford

October 20, 2025 • Village Media Inc.

Send us a text

Not so fast.

That’s the message from a growing number of Ontarians trying hard to convince Premier Doug Ford to ditch his plan to outlaw speed cameras.

Protesters in cities across the province rallied against Ford’s proposed speed camera ban on Monday morning, just as MPPs returned to Queen’s Park for a new legislative session.

Ford has called the devices nothing but a “cash grab,” and his government is promising to introduce legislation that prevents cities and towns from operating automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras.

But research shows the cameras are not only effective at reducing speeds, they are actually widely supported by the general public. Many municipalities also point out that the bulk of revenue from the devices gets reinvested in road safety measures.

Last week, more than a dozen former law enforcement leaders — including retired police chiefs from Peel, Halton, Niagara and Ottawa — joined the chorus of critics calling on Ford to change his mind.

“The results are clear: when drivers know that automated speed enforcement cameras are in place, they slow down,” reads a letter from the group. “This means fewer tickets, lower costs, and safer roads for everyone.”

On tonight’s Closer Look, we revisit a recent episode that featured a panel of expert guests: Pamela Fuselli, president and CEO of the injury prevention charity Parachute; Michael Stewart of the Canadian Automobile Association; and Jack Hauen, a reporter at Village Media’s The Trillium.

You can watch the full episode HERE.

Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.

Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show’s dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is