Council hits brakes on motion to buy 10 Automated Speed Enforcement cameras

Five of Caledon's nine Councillors wanted to see more information from staff before any purchase

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

While all Caledon Councillors are in agreement that traffic safety is an issue in Town, a majority voted to press pause on a motion to purchase more automated speed enforcement cameras. 

At Caledon Council's November 12 General Committee meeting, Ward 2 Councillor Dave Sheen put forward a motion asking that Caledon explore purchasing an additional 10 Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras to bring Caledon's total number of said cameras to 16 by the end of 2025. 

Sheen said ASE cameras are highly-effective and cost-efficient. He said speeding remains a pervasive and serious concern for residents across Caledon and that traffic engineering and finance staff should prioritize expanding Caledon's ASE program as a matter of urgency.

“To no surprise, traffic safety and parking issues are consistently the top concerns I hear from residents in Caledon… our community is deeply troubled by recurring fatalities on our roadways and they are urgently calling for action to create safer streets,” said Sheen. 

Sheen said residents want more road enforcement and to keep taxes in check — he said ASE cameras are the perfect way to do both. 

“It will pay for itself eventually,” said Sheen. 

Regional Councillor Mario Russo put forward a referral for Sheen's motion, suggesting that it be sent back to Town of Caledon staff so they can provide Council with more data so it can make a better-informed decision. 

Ward 4 Councillor Nick de Boer said he couldn't support the removal, stating it's time to move and that Caledon needs to find the money for more cameras and get started.

Mayor Annette Groves said a referral is prudent and that Town staff are currently doing a lot of work to make roads safer. She said it's important to understand from the experts how many more cameras are needed. 

Russo said he doesn't want to see Caledon spend money on cameras that may sit dormant because they can't yet be used.

Ward 1 Councillor Lynn Kiernan said the responsible thing to do is to do everything Council can to keep residents safe. 

“You can't put a price tag on that,” said Kiernan.

She added Sheen's motion basically has a referral built into it, as it asks staff to prepare a proposal for the 10 additional cameras and present it for discussion in the Town's 2025 Budget.

Regional Councillor Christina Early said Sheen's motion is a bold one she's prepared to support. 

“I'd like to see 20 or 30 cameras, I want to slow down traffic in the municipality,” said Early. 

Ultimately, Russo's referral was passed. Russo, Groves, Ward 5 Councillor Tony Rosa, Ward 6 Councillor Cosimo Napoli, and Ward 3 Councillor Doug Maskell supported the referral. 

Kiernan, Early, de Boer, and Sheen did not support the referral.