Canada’s New $425 Camera Fines Start Dec 15 – Check Your City’s Rules

Starting December 15, drivers across Canada will face new traffic camera fines of up to $425, part of a major expansion in automated road enforcement. This rollout targets high-risk driving behaviours like speeding, red-light running, and improper lane use in school zones, intersections, and busy corridors. If you drive in Canada, it’s time to get familiar with your city’s updated camera rules—because violations won’t just cost you time, they’ll cost you cash.

Let’s break down what these changes mean and how to avoid getting caught off guard.

Fines

The updated fine structure introduces steep penalties for common driving violations, with the top rate hitting $425 per infraction. Whether it’s rolling through a red light in Vancouver or speeding through a school zone in Ottawa, cameras are now watching—and issuing fines—24/7.

Here’s how the new penalties stack up in some of Canada’s biggest cities:

City	Violation Type	Fine Amount	Activation Date
Toronto	Speeding	$425	Dec 15
Vancouver	Red-Light Violation	$368	Dec 15
Calgary	Lane Violation	$425	Dec 15
Ottawa	School-Zone Speeding	$425	Dec 15
Edmonton	Intersection Speeding	$385	Dec 15

The system issues tickets automatically to the vehicle owner, not necessarily the driver. So if someone else is behind the wheel, you still pay the fine.

Expansion

Why now? Canadian cities are seeing a rise in collisions, pedestrian injuries, and unsafe driving near schools. In response, municipal leaders have ramped up automated traffic enforcement—not just in urban areas, but also in residential and high-risk zones.

You’ll now see more:

• Speed cameras in school and construction zones
• Red-light cameras at major intersections
• Lane-use cameras watching improper turns or bus-lane usage

These cameras are always on, and there’s no warning before a ticket lands in your mailbox or CRA-linked account. This is part of a broader strategy to enforce safe driving habits and protect vulnerable road users.

Purpose

Critics may call it a cash grab, but officials say these fines are more about changing driver behaviour than filling government coffers. Think of them as a tough-love teacher giving out homework for bad driving.

The goal is to:

• Reduce crashes and pedestrian injuries
• Enforce rules consistently across cities
• Improve safety in zones with vulnerable populations (like kids)
• Encourage long-term behaviour change

Getting caught by a camera may sting, but it’s also a reminder to drive smarter next time. And with more cameras being installed, next time might come sooner than you think.

Enforcement

Canada is pushing toward nationwide consistency in traffic enforcement. That means whether you’re in Vancouver or Halifax, fines and camera systems will be more uniform. It also means fewer loopholes and less leniency when it comes to dangerous driving.

Here’s what to expect:

• Fines issued by mail or CRA-linked notices
• Tickets tied to the vehicle plate, not the person driving
• No opportunity to argue unless you go through an official dispute process
• Late payment could affect credit or future vehicle registration

Motorists are urged to keep track of local traffic rules and stay alert for camera signage, which is usually placed ahead of enforcement zones.

Tips

Here’s how you can avoid racking up $425 tickets:

• Slow down in school zones, even after hours
• Don’t run yellow lights—camera sensors are fast
• Watch your lane use, especially in cities with bus-only lanes
• Know your city’s hot spots—most locations are public info
• Sign up for alerts through your local government or CRA portal

A little awareness can save you hundreds—and keep your driving record clean.

Canada’s new $425 camera fines are now active, and enforcement is only getting tighter. Whether you’re commuting, carpooling, or doing a school run, it pays to know where the cameras are and what behaviours they’re targeting. Staying alert behind the wheel has never been more important—or more expensive if you slip up.

FAQs