Following the Money Behind Ontario’s Traffic Camera Fines

In Ontario, red light and automated speed enforcement tickets generate millions of dollars each year. But the money doesn’t all go to one place. A portion stays with the municipality that issued the ticket, while other parts, including the victim fine surcharge are directed to the province. Understanding this split reveals how automated enforcement revenue is shared, and raises questions about transparency and public reporting.

How traffic camera fine revenue is shared in Ontario

In Ontario, the money from red light camera and automated speed enforcement (ASE) tickets is split between the municipality that issued the ticket and the provincial government. While the exact amounts vary by ticket type and fine amount, the division is set by law and supported by revenue sharing agreements.

The municipal share

The base fine from each ticket stays with the municipality that operates the enforcement program. This revenue is often earmarked for road safety initiatives or general municipal budgets. However, how it is spent, and whether it is tracked separately from other revenue is determined by each municipality, and public reporting practices vary.

The provincial share

Part of each ticket’s total, the victim fine surcharge, is sent to the Province of Ontario. This surcharge is deposited into the Victims’ Justice Fund, which is intended to support programs and services for victims of crime. The province may also collect a small court fee from each ticket.

Why this matters

Even though camera tickets are treated administratively like parking tickets in many ways, they still generate provincial revenue through the victim fine surcharge. This creates a direct financial link between municipal enforcement programs and provincial victim services funding.

Questions for transparency

  • Are municipalities required to report how much they collect from automated enforcement?
  • How much of the Victims’ Justice Fund comes from camera ticket surcharges?
  • Should the public be able to see a breakdown of revenue by ticket type?

Related Questions

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