Mayor Ann Lawlor's October 2025 Message

HALTON HILLS, ON – In a unanimous vote this week, Halton Hills Town Council took a decisive stand against the Ontario government’s recent announcement to cancel ASE– Automated Speed Enforcement (speed cameras) across the province. Councillors voiced strong opposition to changes that would undermine ASE initiatives, which are an effective local road safety tool.

The motion, moved by Councillor Somerville and seconded by me, highlights the shared responsibility between municipalities and the province to protect all road users, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Reducing vehicle speeding is critical to creating safer, calmer neighborhoods. I know from 15 years of experience in public life that speeding cars and trucks generate the highest number of complaints to Town Councillors from Halton Hills residents. We are constantly being asked to slow down aggressive drivers.

ASE, first enabled by provincial legislation in 2019, has been widely adopted by municipalities as a proven tool to curb speeding, especially in high-risk areas such as school zones and community safety zones. The program is supported by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ontario Traffic Council. It has been reported that nearly three-quarters of Ontario drivers support ASE, particularly in high-risk areas.

Halton Hills, with only one camera in operation since the spring, saw speeding infractions drop dramatically from close to 9,000 in April to about 3,000 in June this year. The program is working! Money generated from the fines is invested back into road safety measures such as signs and speed bumps which are also needed across the Town.

It was noted that the cancellation of ASE would not only jeopardize public safety but also undermine the investments and planning made by our Town and others in good faith, based on provincial guidance since 2019. Throwing away this program will mean wasting the investment of property tax dollars.

Halton Hills joins neighbouring municipalities in contacting our MPPs and calling for the province to maintain implementation of ASE in school zones, community safety zones, and other high-risk areas.

As the debate over ASE’s future continues, Halton Hills Council’s message is clear: road safety should remain a top priority, and proven tools like ASE can be tweaked, but should not be rolled back.

In other Council news, last Monday we added the following properties to the Town’s heritage designation list: 16 Main Street South, Georgetown; and in Glen Williams - 9 Prince Street, 28 Mountain Street and 511 Main Street. 

The Town has just received a positive note that the owner of the Beardmore warehouse (the Hide House) located at 49 Eastern Avenue in Acton, has withdrawn the Ontario Land Tribunal appeal of the property’s heritage designation. Although the owner can push back in the future, I trust that this iconic heritage building will continue to be preserved in Acton.

Heritage properties showcase the unique character of our Town!