Speeds decrease across Newmarket’s Community Safety Zones thanks to the Town’s speed camera program
Newmarket is making streets safer with its Community Safety Camera Program that aims to modify driver behaviour and decrease speeding in community safety zones near schools. Launched in the fall of 2024, Newmarket Council received an update on early speed camera program results, which have shown a:
- 23 per cent reduction in the average speeds in Community Safety Zones (from 47 km/hr down to 37 km/hr) where the speed limit is 40 km/hr
- 73 per cent reduction in the number of vehicles travelling above the posted speed limit when compared to data collected before speed cameras were implemented
In September 2024, a warning letter period took place to provide drivers ample opportunity to alter their driving habits, which saw 2,500 warning letters issued. From October 2024 to the end of April 2025, approximately 13,709 tickets have been issued, with the highest speed recorded to date at 113 km/hr in a 40 km/hr school zone.
It is important to note that the Community Safety Camera Program was launched in the fall/winter season and therefore the traffic data collected reflects seasonal driving habits because of inclement weather (i.e. driving slower and more cautious due to snow and ice). Early data results may not fully represent annual trends for the program. A report with more fulsome data will be presented to Council in 2026.
To learn more about the early results, read the Staff Report or visit Community Safety Camera to learn about the program.
Shaping the future of housing in Newmarket
The Town of Newmarket is taking important steps to address housing affordability and plan for future growth. At the Committee of the Whole meeting on May 26, Council received a presentation and reports from Town staff on:
- Housing Needs Assessment – a comprehensive document which analyzes current and future housing trends and demographics in Newmarket, helping the Town understand housing affordability, what types of housing are needed and where gaps exist.
- Inclusionary Zoning – a planning tool that can require new developments to include a certain percentage of affordable housing units in Protected Major Transit Station Areas, helping to create more inclusive communities in the Town.
The Housing Needs Assessment and Inclusionary Zoning Report will highlight key policy directions that will help support a diverse range of housing options for residents of all ages, incomes, and stages of life. We encourage you to stay informed and engaged in shaping the future of housing in our community by registering on the project webpage or visiting the Housing & Housing Affordability project page.
Watch the presentation from Committee of the Whole to hear more.
Newmarket launches 2026 budget process
Every year, the Town of Newmarket undertakes a detailed budget planning process to ensure the needs of our community are met now and in the future. The primary objective of the 2026 budget is to continue aligning the Town's commitment to service excellence while maintaining fiscal stewardship.
Council has set an ambitious target for the operating budget tax levy to be 10 per cent below the GTA average (on a per capita basis) by targeting a tax increase below 3 per cent to continue to find a balance between maintaining current service levels and limiting the financial impact on current and future taxpayers. This is key to prudent fiscal stewardship especially in times of economic uncertainty.
In the fall, the Town will once again kick off a community engagement campaign for the 2026 budget and will focus on public education, valuable conversations and garnering feedback to help shape the 2026 budget and beyond.
Learn more about the municipal budget breakdown and schedule for the 2026 budget in the Staff Report.