Go Ad Free

West Toronto's Parkside Drive, south of Algonquin Avenue, is home to a notorious speed camera, installed in 2022 after a fatal accident.

But somebody or some people are not happy with Big Brother watching and fining them.

The Parkside Drive speed camera was repeatedly cut down, six times in eight months. When the seventh camera was installed, the city reinforced its metallic arm, hoping to deter further attacks.

A Toronto Police Service security camera is now mounted on a light standard pole, filming another camera. This makes Toronto unique, highlighting a "Big Brother" scenario.

Did the new strategy work? Nope.

Sunday night, the Parkside Drive camera went down for the seventh time. Just 48 hours later, 16 more Toronto speed cameras were disabled. This suggests either a busy vandal or a growing group of speed camera vigilantes.

Little wonder speed cameras are not embraced. These devices are supposed to be all about safety. But let’s get real: these things are all about making money.

Operating part-time, the Parkside Drive speed camera has issued over 68,000 speeding tickets, resulting in more than $7 million in fines for Toronto motorists—from just one camera.

If traffic safety were the goal, speed humps would be installed. (We dislike them, but they slow traffic and resist vandalism.)

Then again, speed cameras may just be on their way out.

In the aftermath of Toronto’s day of camera carnage, Ontario Premier Doug Ford had this to say: “They should take out those cameras, all of them. This is nothing but a tax grab.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford called Toronto's speed cameras a "tax grab" and advocated for their removal after a day of camera carnage.

And yes, the province has the power to force the city’s hand on this issue.

Judging from feedback on social media and talk radio, the vast majority of people applaud the premier’s position. These cameras are loathed.