Date: October 20, 2025

Memorandum to:
Directors of Education

From:
Denise A. Cole
Deputy Minister of Education

On September 25, 2025, the Government of Ontario announced its intention to propose legislation that would, if passed, repeal the authority of municipalities to operate automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras. Municipal ASEs are currently in use in many school zones across Ontario.

The government is firmly committed to ensuring school zones remain clearly marked for drivers to promote the safety of the school community. Where fixed ASE cameras are currently in place in school zones, the government plans to work with municipalities to install signs that make drivers aware of the posted speed limit by November 14, 2025.

Where municipalities are not able to install signs by November 14, 2025, the Minister of Education has established a policy pursuant to subsection 301(7) of the Education Act requiring action by school boards.

This policy is set out below. Boards are required to comply with it pursuant to subsection 301(9) of the Education Act.

Minister’s Policy Pursuant to ss. 301 (7)

If:

  1. A fixed ASE camera is currently in place in a school zone; and
  2. municipalities are not able to install signs by November 14, 2025 in such a school zone;

Then:

School boards are to install temporary “School Zone” signs on school property, abutting the roadway, in the affected school zone.

This is an interim measure until municipalities are able to install permanent signage.

A list of affected municipalities/regions is included in Appendix A. School boards must identify a project lead for this policy and provide that person’s contact information to the Ministry of Education at cbsdcomms@ontario.ca by October 23, 2025.

Implementation

On October 10, 2025, the Ministry of Transportation wrote to municipalities requesting that they identify the names of schools, addresses and details of the school zones affected by the proposed ASE changes, by October 17, 2025. The Ministry of Education is working closely with the Ministry of Transportation and will share this information with affected school boards as soon as possible.

At this time, school boards should begin working with their local municipalities to encourage them to install school zone signs on municipal property. If municipalities are unable to complete the installation of the school zone signs by November 14, 2025, pursuant to the policy above, school boards must install signs on the affected school properties at appropriate locations that immediately abut the roadway.

Where required, the Ministry of Transportation will provide school boards with temporary signs for installation and will reimburse reasonable installation costs. The Ministry of Transportation will also be available to support school boards with the installation. The Ministry of Education will share Ministry of Transportation contact information with the program leads identified by school boards.

Beginning on October 31, 2025, school boards must provide weekly status updates to the Ministry of Education. The details of the reporting requirements and templates will be shared with school boards’ project leads.

Thank you for your partnership in continuing to provide safe learning environments for students and staff.

Sincerely,

Denise A. Cole
Deputy Minister of Education

Appendix A: List of Municipalities/Regions with ASEs

  • Durham
  • Niagara
  • Peel
  • Waterloo
  • York
  • Ajax
  • Barrie
  • Belleville
  • Bradford West Gwillimbury
  • Brampton
  • Brant
  • Brighton
  • Caledon
  • Clarence-Rockland
  • Essa
  • Georgina
  • Grand Valley
  • Guelph
  • Halton Hill
  • Hamilton
  • Innisfil
  • King
  • Kingston
  • London
  • Midland
  • Mississauga
  • New Tecumseth
  • Newmarket
  • Oakville
  • Orillia
  • Ottawa
  • Parry Sound
  • Pickering
  • Severn
  • Shelburne
  • Stouffville
  • Sudbury
  • Toronto
  • Vaughan
  • Wellington