Phasing out Automated Speed Enforcement Program
At the September 24, 2025, Barrie City Council meeting, Council directed staff to begin phasing out the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program. This decision was made ahead of the Province of Ontario’s announcement of upcoming legislation to ban ASE across the province, which if passed, will prevent the use of municipal speed cameras immediately.
Existing cameras in Barrie remain active for now in Community Safety Zones, and the City will announce an end date for the program once provincial legislation has passed. Outstanding tickets and new tickets issued between now and until the program ends remain valid. Refunds will not be issued.
Ontario's Ministry of Transportation’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA) sets a default municipal speed limit of 50 km/h on roadways within cities, towns, villages or built-up areas. The HTA grants the City authority to set speed limits; under this legislation, set speed limits range from 40–80 km/h in 10 km/h intervals.
City policy mandates a 40 km/h speed limit in front of elementary schools and for roadways whose geometric design cannot support a 50 km/h or higher limit. On major roads where elementary schools are present, a "40 km/h when flashing" speed limit may be considered.
Factors that Influence Speed Limits
Speed limits on major roads are influenced by many factors, including:
- Roadway design
- Roadway classification
- Vehicle operating speeds
- Adjacent development
- Collision history
- Pedestrian activity
- Driveway spacing
- Location of signalized intersections
Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE)
Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) is a system that uses speed cameras to enforce speed limits. Speed cameras are an affordable way to enforce speed limits, slow down motorists and improve public safety. If your vehicle is captured by the camera as going over the posted speed limit, here’s what happens:
- The speed camera captures an image that is stored and reviewed by a provincial offences officer.
- The Penalty Order is mailed to the registered plate holder at the address on file with the Province of Ontario.
- Penalty Orders are mailed out within 23 days after the violation occurs.
The City of Barrie’s Automated Speed Enforcement program operates as an Administrative Penalty System as opposed to filing a charge with the Provincial Offences Court, which provides for a less complex but fair and transparent alternative to the court process.
There is a very simple way to avoid getting a Penalty Order—don’t speed. Please slow down and help keep our communities safe.
ASE Camera Locations & Certificates
In Barrie, ASE cameras are located in certain community safety zones. A community safety zone is an area designated through the Community Safety Zones By-law to identify it as a road segment of higher risk or concern. Certain Highway Traffic Act fines (including speeding) are doubled in community safety zones. Many community safety zones are located close to schools.
Community safety zones were identified for the ASE program based on data collected showing areas where drivers are regularly going over the posted limit. Two cameras are rotated to different community safety zones every few months. “Municipal Speed Camera in Use" signs are installed when cameras are active and tickets are being issued.
The camera Certificates of Accuracy are linked below for disclosure in respect to certain provincial offences.
| Estimated Date Range | Camera Locations & Certificates of Accuracy |
|---|---|
| July 2025 to TBD Timeframe is approximate; see ASE signage. |
|
ASE Camera Facts
- The camera is triggered by a threshold speed; threshold speeds will not be disclosed.
- The ASE camera captures only still images of the licence plate. Video is not captured.
- The ASE camera is just as accurate at detecting speed as traditional speed measurement devices used by police.
- If a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit in an ASE area, the camera captures an image that is stored and reviewed by a provincial offences officer.
- The ASE cameras capture licence plates of all vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit.
- The cameras are programmable and determine what speed zone is applicable at the correct time of the day.
ASE Penalty Orders & Fines
The ASE cameras capture licence plates of all vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit. An Administrative Penalty Order will include the image taken by the ASE camera and an enlargement of the plate portion. The Administrative Penalty Order is mailed to the registered plate holder at the address on file with the Province, and will arrive within 30 days after the violation occurs.
Administrative Penalty Orders are issued by mail/courier only; the City does not email or text Penalty Orders.
The penalty is only a fine. Administrative Penalty Orders issued via ASE don’t result in demerit points.
Like speeding tickets issued by police officers, the fine will be based on how much the driver was exceeding the speed limit. Fines are set by the Ontario Court of Justice Chief Judge and listed in Schedule D Highway Traffic Act Speeding – Community Safety Zone. Fines are doubled in community safety zones, even if the violation occurred outside school hours.
Emergency vehicles must comply with the provisions of the Highway Traffic Act regarding exceeding the speed limit. According to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, section 128 (13) speed limits do not apply “to a police department vehicle being used in the lawful performance of a police officer’s duties.” Emergency circumstances would have to be proven (ie. call log or other documentation).
There are two options—pay or appeal—for motor vehicle owners who receive an Administrative Penalty Order, as outlined on the back of the order.
How the Funds are Used
- The municipality uses the funds from the fine payments to offset the costs of the ASE program (cameras leases, signs, Provincial Offences Officers, office and miscellaneous expenses).
- The victim fine surcharge portion is submitted to the Province like any other ticket offence. The municipality retains any net fine revenue, after expenses.
- If there is a surplus of revenue over expenses, these funds will be reinvested by the City back into the ASE program, other road safety, or traffic calming initiatives.
ASE Program Background
In 2017, Ontario authorized the use of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) in municipalities to address ongoing issues with speeding in school zones and community safety zones. At the June 20, 2022 Council meeting, Barrie City Council approved a motion to implement an Automated Speed Enforcement Program in school zones and community safety zones. ASE cameras went live in Barrie on December 1, 2023.
