Full Breakdown
Ontario Deploys Automated Licence-Plate Cameras on Waterloo Region Highways
By Drooid · · How we work
New ALPR Cameras Planned for Provincial Roads
Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation, in partnership with the Waterloo Regional Police Service, will install CCTV cameras equipped with automated licence-plate recognition (ALPR) on provincial highways throughout the Waterloo region. The province is providing $100,000 in seed funding to launch the project. Specific camera counts and exact locations have not yet been disclosed.
Background and Context
The initiative builds on an existing in-cruiser ALPR system that police have used since the start of the year. During the reporting period, the system flagged 7,749 licence plates of interest—including stolen plates, plates linked to wanted individuals, and vehicles tied to active investigations. Those alerts helped recover 75 vehicles, resulted in 94 arrests and generated 77 criminal charges, according to the Waterloo Regional Police Service. Prior to deployment, police officials consulted the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario and completed a privacy impact assessment.
Data & Statistics
Official Statements & Responses
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner emphasized the link between safety and community growth, noting that strong public safety encourages investment and development in the region. Police Chief Mark Crowell said the new network will expand the capability that officers already have in their cruisers, allowing faster identification of suspect vehicles. Deputy Chief Jen Davis, who attended the announcement, reiterated the police service’s commitment to using technology responsibly while respecting privacy safeguards.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When we have public safety that's strong, everything revolves around it. People invest in communities, entrepreneurs come to communities like Waterloo region, which was the home of so many innovations over the years,” — Solicitor General Michael Kerzner
- “It has probably been the most monumental technological change I've seen in my career, where officers have the capability within their cruisers to have that licence plate reader technology available,” — Mark Crowell, chief
The project’s progress will be monitored for effectiveness and compliance with privacy standards as the cameras become operational.
