Taxpayers could eventually be on the hook as Toronto’s speedcams keep getting cut down

With Toronto’s pole-mounted speed cameras vandalized again and again in the past year, taxpayers may be stuck paying more for future damage, a city councillor says.

The speedcams have been “severely vandalized” 25 times since last fall, according to the City of Toronto. That includes one camera on Parkside Drive that’s been cut down six times between November 2024 and July of this year.

Under the city’s current contract with Redflex Traffic Solutions, the vendor is responsible for repairs and installing replacement cameras, as well as the associated costs. The contract goes until July 2029 with a maintenance period that ends in August 2031. 

But Coun. Dianne Saxe told CBC Toronto the high frequency of incidents could affect the cost of future contracts.

“It could make the next contract more expensive,” she told CBC Toronto.

“This contract has its requirements. The vendor is complying, but that contract will have an end and we’ll have to tender it again. So by that time, hopefully we will have found a way to get this under control.”

The pole-mounted speed camera on Parkside Drive was cut down a sixth time in July. (Jaskaran Singh/CBC)

Matthew Lumsden, a representative for Redflex, told CBC Toronto the frequency of the vandalism is cause for concern.

“When you take down a speed camera, what you’re doing is basically putting people’s lives in jeopardy, who are subject to speeders in that area,” he said.  

As for cost, Lumsden confirmed Redflex factors the possibility of vandalism into its business plans and further acts of vandalism during the current contract won’t fall back on taxpayers. 

Toronto more susceptible to vandalism than other cities

Vandalism to Toronto’s automated speed cameras has been ongoing since they were first installed in 2020. The Parkside Drive camera was one of the most frequent targets and was eventually replaced with a pole-mounted camera in 2024. Other pole-mounted cameras have also been installed in other locations around the city. 

Toronto has seen a higher rate of speed camera vandalism than other cities Redflex serves, including Mississauga, Brampton, and Vaughan, Lumsden said. 

The city and police are taking steps to catch the perpetrators, but so far, no arrests have been made.

City councillor Dianne Saxe says frequency of speed camera vandalism could make future contracts with the vendor more expensive. (Chris Langenzarde/CBC)

In an email, a spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service told CBC Toronto investigations are ongoing and a surveillance camera has been installed to monitor the speed camera on Parkside Drive. 

The city is also working with Redflex on preventing future damage. 

“We are working regularly with our city partners to address where it’s happening, why it’s happening and brainstorm together on different manners in which we can prevent vandalism,” Lumsden said. 

The exact prevention methods are being kept confidential so they remain effective against potential vandals, Saxe said. 

‘Speed cameras save lives’

Increased costs aren’t the only reason to be concerned about the repeated vandalism to speed cameras.

“We need to look after public assets. We pay for them together, we use them together. And anyone who damages and trashes … them increases taxes, but also worsens the quality of life for everybody else and erodes public trust,” Saxe said.

“Speed cameras save lives.”

A recent study from the Hospital for Sick Children indicates automated speed cameras have reduced speeding around Toronto school zones by 45 per cent.