Ontario Launches $210M Road Safety Initiatives Fund to Support Traffic-Calming in School Zones
Province replaces speed cameras with infrastructure upgrades to improve safety without raising costs for drivers
TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing $210 million through a new Road Safety Initiatives Fund (RSIF) to support traffic-calming measures in school zones and community safety zones—without relying on municipal speed cameras. The fund is designed to improve road safety while preventing additional costs for drivers, following concerns about the rapid growth of automated enforcement across municipalities.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the new fund aligns with the province’s focus on affordability and accountability.
“Our government is standing up for drivers by banning cash-grab speed cameras and supporting proven road safety measures that will make a real difference,” said Sarkaria. “Ontario has some of the safest roads in North America, and this fund will ensure municipalities have the tools they need without making life more expensive.”
Replacing Speed Cameras With Proven Safety Tools
The RSIF will direct funding to infrastructure that has been shown to reduce speeding and collisions, including:
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Speed bumps and raised crosswalks
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Pedestrian-focused roundabouts
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High-visibility signage and markings
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Additional police enforcement in school zones and community safety zones
We’re investing $210 million in proven road safety measures won’t raise costs for drivers!
Traffic-calming infrastructure like speed bumps & raised crosswalks, as well as high visibility signage & increased police enforcement will support school zones where municipal speed… pic.twitter.com/swbnNLmuF0
— Prabmeet Sarkaria (@PrabSarkaria) November 13, 2025
As part of the plan, the government will immediately release $42 million to support municipalities that previously deployed speed cameras. Early next year, municipalities will be able to apply for the remaining funds to support construction and safety upgrades.
The RSIF follows the Building a More Competitive Economy Act, which bans municipal speed cameras effective November 14, 2025. According to the government, use of the cameras had surged across Ontario—with more than 700 cameras added since 2019—leading to millions of dollars in tickets, including one Toronto device that issued over 65,000 tickets and generated nearly $7 million in fines alone.
Ontario’s Road Safety Record
Ontario continues to rank among the top five jurisdictions in North America for road safety, with one of the lowest fatality rates per 10,000 licensed drivers. The province says the new fund will help preserve that record while keeping costs down for families and commuters.
Several other ongoing programs complement the RSIF, including:
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RIDE roadside enforcement initiatives
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Road Safety Community Partnership Program, supporting education and public awareness campaigns
What Comes Next
All municipalities that previously used speed cameras will qualify to apply for RSIF funding. The province will release application details early in 2026, and approved projects will focus on school zones, high-risk corridors, and community safety zones.
