Last November, the Government of Ontario created the Road Safety Initiatives Fund (RSIF), a $210 million program aimed at municipalities that previously had automated speed enforcement cameras to implement physical traffic-calming measures in school zones and community safety zones.

The first phase of the program provided $42 million in immediate funding to municipalities that previously operated speed cameras. Starting on Thursday, February 19^th, 2026, eligible municipalities can now apply for the remaining $168 million that has been made available through the fund.

Before the passage of Bill 56, Building a More Competitive Economy Act, 2025, approximately 40 municipalities operated more than 700 automated speed cameras across Ontario. These municipalities have already received first-phase funding and may now submit proposals outlining the road safety improvements they plan to construct in the next phase.

Good Roads is supportive of direct investments that go towards modernizing road design and installing safety infrastructure that slows drivers down. Practical traffic calming measures such as roundabouts, raised crosswalks, and speed bumps make it much more difficult to speed and have a proven impact on driver behaviour.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is proposing a new regulation that would, for the first time, make provincial road construction standards mandatory for municipalities across Ontario. Good Roads is sharing this update so members can understand what is being proposed, what it means for your operations, and what steps are available to you. 

Background 

As part of the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, the province amended the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act (PTHIA) to give the Minister of Transportation new authority to set mandatory standards for municipal road construction. A proposed Minister’s regulation is now under development to put that authority into effect. 

What the Proposed Regulation Would Require 

The proposed regulation would mandate the use of Ontario Provincial Standards for Municipal Road Construction (OPSS.MUNI) in three priority areas: hot mix asphalt, aggregates, and drainage. While there are 259 OPSS.MUNI standards in total, MTO is taking a phased approach — the current proposal covers only these priority areas, with standards related to electrical, concrete, and metal work expected to follow in future regulatory phases. 

In addition to technical standards, all municipalities would be required to use the OPSS.MUNI 100 General Conditions of Contract as the standard set of terms and conditions in contracts with third-party road construction contractors. 

Key Date: March 30, 2026 

MTO has posted the proposal on the regulatory registry. To provide comments on these proposed changes, please visit the regulatory registry and submit your feedback before March 30th, 2026. MTO has indicated it will continue to engage municipal and industry stakeholders throughout implementation and is developing a modernized governance framework to ensure ongoing technical input into the standard review process. 

Key Date: July 1, 2027  

All municipalities must be in compliance with the mandatory standards by July 1, 2027. This transition period was established in direct response to stakeholder feedback about the potential for project delays and cost impacts on work already underway. 

Exemption Process 

The proposed regulation includes a process for municipalities to request an exemption from a specific standard. Requests must be submitted to MTO with supporting documentation, including details about the project in question and a rationale for why an exemption is appropriate. The Minister will evaluate requests based on criteria such as capital and lifecycle costs, worker and road user safety, project scheduling, material availability, unique site conditions, and environmental sustainability. 

Reporting Requirements 

Municipalities would be required to submit annual reports to MTO on their application of the mandatory standards. The Minister would have the authority to publish information from these reports. 

Member Feedback 

We want to hear from you. Do you foresee large transitional costs with these changes? Are there contractual provisions that would be affected by these new standards? We would like to know how these changes affect your municipality. Member feedback on regulatory matters like this helps us advocate effectively at the provincial level. 

Good Roads will continue to monitor this regulatory proposal and engage with MTO on behalf of our members. If you have questions or concerns about how this proposal may affect your municipality, please reach out to the Good Roads team.  

For more information, please contact Good Roads at info@goodroads.ca or visit goodroads.ca. 

Late last year, the Province passed Bill 72, the Buy Ontario Act, 2025, replacing earlier legislation aimed at encouraging public sector organizations to purchase Ontario-made goods and services. The goal of the new Act is to boost the provincial economy, protect jobs, and strengthen supply chains amid global uncertainty.

In mid-January, the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement (MPBSDP) released a regulatory proposal that would significantly expand how Buy Ontario rules apply, particularly for municipalities.

What’s Changing for Municipalities?

The proposal would formally require all 444 Ontario municipalities and their local boards to comply with provincial procurement directives. While Buy Ontario policies were previously encouraged, this regulation would make them mandatory.

This shift raises several concerns:

• Reduced local control: The province would be able to issue binding procurement rules that override municipal bylaws.
• More red tape: Smaller, rural, and northern municipalities may struggle to verify Ontario-made requirements without added staff or resources.
• Financial risk: Provincial funding could be withheld for non-compliance, even for technical procurement errors.

New Rules for Municipal Fleet Vehicles

Municipalities would be required to follow a mandatory preference hierarchy when purchasing or leasing light-duty fleet vehicles.

1. Tier 1 – Made-in-Ontario vehicles, identified by a VIN starting with “2”
2. Tier 2 – Vehicles from manufacturers with significant production operations in Ontario

Only if these options are unavailable or impractical could municipalities look elsewhere—and they would need to document why.

Currently, eligible vehicles are produced by Honda, Toyota, Stellantis, General Motors, and Ford at Ontario plants.

Construction and Infrastructure Projects

The proposal also extends Buy Ontario preferences to municipal capital infrastructure and construction projects, requiring contractors to prioritize Ontario- and Canadian-made goods and services.

Potential impacts include:

• Increased administrative oversight of contractors and subcontractors
• Higher project costs due to reduced competition
• Possible conflicts with federal funding rules

Trade Agreement Conflicts

Municipal procurement is already governed by trade agreements such as Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), which require open, non-discriminatory bidding above certain thresholds.

Rigid Buy Ontario requirements could conflict with these obligations, creating legal risk, bid challenges, or funding delays, especially for federally funded projects.

What Happens Next?

Good Roads will raise these concerns in a formal submission to the Ontario Regulatory Registry, calling for exemptions or thresholds to ensure municipalities can remain compliant with trade agreements while managing costs and delivering infrastructure effectively.

Read the full regulatory proposal here.

Pursuant to Good Roads Policy B-008, the Good Roads Nominating Committee will present a slate of directors to attendees at the Annual Good Roads Conference taking place March 29 – April 01, 2026, at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, Ontario.

The Good Roads Board of Directors understands the strength that diversity provides and is committed to achieving equity and inclusion on its leadership team. Women and individuals from equity seeking groups are encouraged to apply.

The following directors will automatically serve on the 2026 – 2027 Board of Directors:

• President: Paul Ainslie – Councillor, Ward 24, Scarborough-Guildwood, City of Toronto
• First Vice-President: Aakash Desai – Treasurer, Township of Chatsworth; and
• Second Vice-President: Melissa Abercrombie, Director of Public Works, County of Oxford; and
• Immediate Past President: Cheryl Fort – Mayor, Township of Hornepayne;
• Directors
  • Salim Alibhai – Director, Capital Planning & Delivery, Transportation Operations, Public Works, Regional Municipality of York
  • Cathy Burghardt-Jesson – Mayor, Township of Lucan-Biddulph
  • Terry McKay – Deputy Mayor, Township of Chatsworth
  • Kristin Murray – Councillor, City of Timmins
  • Vincent Sferrazza – Director of Operations and Maintenance, Transportation Services, City of Toronto
  • Alysson Storey – Councillor, Municipality of Chatham-Kent
  • Justin Towndale – Mayor, City of Cornwall

The Nominating Committee will put forward a slate comprised from Good Roads’ municipal and First Nations membership. The slate will satisfy the geographic requirements prescribed in Section 14 of the Constitution as well as the criteria in Policy B-008.

The following vacancies need to be filled:

City of Toronto		0 Vacancy
The City of Toronto Zone consists of the City of Toronto.
Northern Zone		3 Vacancy
The Northern Zone consists of the municipalities and First Nations in the Districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin Island, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timiskaming; municipalities in and including the District of Muskoka and the City of Greater Sudbury.
South Central Zone		0 Vacancies
The South Central Zone consists of the municipalities within and First Nations adjacent to the Counties of Dufferin, Grey, Simcoe, and Wellington, and municipalities in and including the Regional Municipalities of Durham, Halton, Niagara, Peel and York, and the City of Hamilton.
Southeast Zone		2 Vacancy
The Southeast Zone consists of the municipalities within and First Nations adjacent to the Counties of Frontenac, Haliburton, Hastings, Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Lennox and Addington, Northumberland, Peterborough, Prescott and Russell, Prince Edward, Renfrew, and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, and the Cities of Kawartha Lakes and Ottawa.
Southwest Zone		0 Vacancy
The Southwest Zone consists of the municipalities within and First Nations adjacent to the Counties of Brant, Bruce, Elgin, Essex, Haldimand, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Norfolk, Oxford, and Perth, the municipality of Chatham-Kent, and municipalities in and including the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.

 

Access the Good Roads Zone Map here.

Those elected shall serve for a two-year term ending on Wednesday, March 31, 2027.

Any member of Council or a permanent full-time staff from a Good Roads member municipality or First Nation who is interested in being considered as a candidate for a position on the Board of Directors must complete the attached Nomination Consent form found below and submit it along with a résumé to the attention of John Parsons, Chair of the Nominating Committee no later than 1700 h Eastern Time on Friday, January 23, 2026.

Nominations can be emailed to info@goodroads.ca or mailed to Good Roads, 1525 Cornwall Road, Unit 22, Oakville, Ontario L6J 0B2.

The Nominating Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 03, 2026, to recommend a slate of directors to the membership. The Nominating Committee is comprised of the following directors:

• Chair: Antoine Boucher, Immediate Past President
• Vice Chair: John Parsons, Past President
• Members: Kristin Murray, Director, Chris Angelo, Director, Justin Towndale, Director

Questions regarding the nomination process or serving on the Board of Directors can be directed to Scott Butler at scott@goodroads.ca or 416-564-4319.

The 2026-2027 Good Roads Board of Directors information package and nomination form can be downloaded here.

New program aims to support traffic-calming measures in school and community safety zones

The Government of Ontario has announced the creation of the Road Safety Initiatives Fund (RSIF), a new $210 million program that will help municipalities implement physical traffic-calming measures in school zones and community safety zones.

The fund focuses on supporting proven, engineering-based approaches to reducing speeds and improving safety, including speed bumps, raised crosswalks, roundabouts, high-visibility signage, and increased police enforcement. These measures are intended to enhance safety in sensitive areas while avoiding direct costs to drivers and taxpayers.

The RSIF follows the province’s recent decision to discontinue the use of automated speed enforcement systems. In place of camera-based enforcement, the province is directing funding toward infrastructure that encourages safer driver behaviour through road design and visibility improvements.

As part of the first phase of the program, Ontario is providing $42 million in immediate funding to municipalities that previously operated speed cameras. This initial investment will help communities begin installing traffic-calming measures in the zones where cameras were formerly used.

The remaining $168 million will be allocated through an application process expected to open early next year. Municipalities will be able to submit proposals outlining the safety improvements they intend to build, along with construction timelines and expected benefits.

Good Roads welcomes the introduction of the Road Safety Initiatives Fund. By investing directly in road design and safety infrastructure, the province is offering municipalities practical tools to address speeding, protect vulnerable road users, and strengthen community safety.

More details on eligibility and application timelines will be shared with municipalities as the program rollout continues.

The Government of Ontario has launched a new initiative aimed at helping small municipalities improve the safety and quality of their local roads. The Pothole Prevention and Repair Program (PPRP), announced in November 2025, provides targeted funding to support road maintenance, extend the life of municipal assets, and promote consistent construction standards across the province.

Administered by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), the program is part of the Reducing Gridlock and Saving You Time Act. It will provide municipalities with up to $38,000 for eligible pothole prevention and repair projects during the 2025–26 program year.

Supporting Small Communities

The program is specifically designed for single- and lower-tier municipalities with populations under 10,000, as reported in the 2021 Census. These communities often manage large road networks with limited staff and budgets, making preventive maintenance programs especially valuable.

The PPRP’s objectives are to:

• Provide funding for critical road preservation and pothole repair projects; and
• Encourage the use of harmonized standards and sound asset management practices that improve road quality province-wide.

Good Roads welcomes this initiative as a practical step toward addressing one of the most persistent challenges faced by municipal road departments.

Eligible Work and Expenses

The PPRP funds both preventative maintenance and repair activities, including:

• Rout and Seal, Micro-Surfacing, Slurry Seal, and Surface Treatments;
• Granular In-Fill and Grading of Unpaved Roads;
• Hot Mix Asphalt Patching, Scarification, and Concrete Joint Seal Repairs.

Eligible costs include the purchase of materials, labour, and equipment, as well as pavement condition assessments. To ensure funds are used effectively, administrative costs and design work for future projects are not eligible.

Accountability and Reporting

Municipalities receiving funding will be required to submit compliance and final reports, including asset management plans, pavement condition data, and information about completed work. This information will help MTO monitor outcomes and inform future program design.

To qualify for future funding opportunities, participating municipalities must meet all reporting requirements by April 17, 2026.

How to Apply

Applications are open now through Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON). Municipalities must submit their applications by December 12, 2025.

New applicants will need to create a My Ontario Account to access the TPON portal. Once registered, municipalities can complete and submit the application online.

Eligible expenditures must occur between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

For program details, visit Transfer Payment Ontario or contact the Ministry of Transportation at PPRP@ontario.ca.

Download the full program guide here.

On November 4th, the federal government released Budget 2025, entitled Canada Strong. The document leaves no doubt that strong local infrastructure is fundamental to Canada’s economic future. From housing supply to productivity, trade diversification to community wellbeing, the federal government has signaled that cities, towns, and rural municipalities are where national goals become real outcomes. For municipal leaders working to build safe, connected, and competitive communities, that recognition matters.

A Budget Grounded in Local Realities

The federal budget highlights a central truth long understood by municipal leaders: local infrastructure powers Canada’s economy. Roads, transit networks, water systems, community facilities, shelters, and public services aren’t simply local amenities—they are economic drivers, job creators, and essential public goods.

Among the headline announcements is the $51-billion Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF). While a significant portion reflects reprofiled dollars originally promised in earlier plans, the commitment provides early funding momentum as municipalities ramp up efforts to meet ambitious targets, including building 500,000 homes per year across Canada. This infusion—though partially already accounted for in municipal planning—signals stability at a time when long-term certainty is needed most.

Budget 2025 isn’t just about construction. It’s about capacity. Reliable funding enables municipalities to move goods efficiently, support employers, and connect residents to work, learning, and essential services. It ensures that communities aren’t simply building houses—they’re building communities where health, safety, and opportunity are within reach for everyone.

Investments with Local Impact

Several measures stand out for their potential to accelerate municipal progress:

• $6 billion over 10 years for municipal infrastructure through the Direct Delivery Stream under the Build Communities Strong Fund—support that allows municipalities to prioritize local needs.
• $12.2 billion for infrastructure projects tied to provincial and territorial cost-matching, including housing-enabling infrastructure. Importantly, this approach recognizes the need for provincial flexibility in development charges policy—reflecting long-standing municipal advocacy.
• $5 billion over seven years for trade corridor diversification, opening new avenues for municipalities—large and small—to support regional and national competitiveness.

Municipal leaders will also welcome the continued use of federal-provincial/territorial delivery mechanisms, including leveraging proven channels like the Canada Community-Building Fund (now rebranded as the Community Stream of the BCSF). Stability and predictability in funding streams allow municipalities to build multi-year project pipelines, address infrastructure deficits, and respond strategically to population growth and climate pressures.

Looking Ahead: Partnership as the Path Forward

Good Roads welcomes Budget 2025 as a step toward a more collaborative, long-term infrastructure strategy. Moving forward, success will depend on consistency, partnership, and predictable funding that allows municipalities to plan confidently and deliver results.

We stand ready to work with the federal government and provincial partners to ensure communities have the tools, funding, and certainty they need. Together, we can build more connected, affordable, resilient communities—and in doing so, strengthen Canada’s competitiveness and quality of life for generations to come.

Read the full budget here.

Ontario’s 444 municipalities maintain nearly 300,000 lane kilometres of local roads, worth more than $143 billion. Yet despite this massive shared responsibility, there’s no consistent standard for how these roads are designed or built. In the GTA alone, more than 300 different asphalt mixes are used—creating inefficiencies, driving up costs, and delaying project delivery.

On October 23rd, the province introduced Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act (2025). Through this legislation, there’s a new opportunity to fix this long-standing issue. Harmonizing Ontario’s municipal road construction standards could help every community stretch limited infrastructure dollars further, accelerate project timelines, and improve the durability of local roads.

Good Roads supports the province’s efforts to harmonize municipal road construction standards.

Why It Matters for Municipalities

Good Roads estimates that harmonization could save Ontario’s municipalities up to $4.17 billion over the next decade. These savings would come from:

• Coordinated bulk purchasing
• Streamlined design and construction practices
• Faster project delivery
• Longer-lasting pavements

For local governments under constant financial pressure, harmonization offers a rare opportunity: a policy change that can reduce costs, support housing and infrastructure goals, and deliver better results for residents.

Managing the Transition

Change comes with costs. Good Roads’ analysis shows that the transition to standardized practices could total $955 million province-wide, with smaller, rural, and northern municipalities most affected. Without provincial support, these communities could face a disproportionate burden.

There’s also the risk of market consolidation—as standards tighten, fewer contractors may be able to compete, reducing competition and choice in local procurement.

Good Roads’ Recommendations

To make harmonization work for municipalities, Good Roads is calling for:

1. A $250 million provincial transition fund to help municipalities cover the upfront costs of training, testing, IT systems, and compliance.
2. A joint provincial-municipal governance structure to oversee the process, ensuring transparency, technical integrity, and accountability.
3. Procurement reform and innovation to help municipalities adapt to changing market dynamics and ensure savings flow back into public budgets.

What Municipal Leaders Can Do

Municipal councils and staff have an important role to play in shaping this initiative. We encourage you to:

• Raise the issue with your local MPP and share how harmonization could benefit your community.
• Engage with Good Roads as we continue to advocate for a fair, well-funded transition that protects municipal interests.
• Submit feedback directly to the Ministry of Transportation through the Environmental Registry, which can be accessed here.

With thoughtful design and strong municipal input, harmonization can make Ontario’s roads more affordable, more durable, and easier to deliver—helping every community build faster and smarter.

Good Roads is proud to be featured in a recent D2L success story that highlights how our education team is using innovative tools and design strategies to expand access to training across Ontario’s municipal sector. Since launching our online learning initiative in partnership with D2L, we’ve worked to create courses that are inclusive, engaging, and designed with municipal learners in mind. This means shorter, more visual lessons, flexible delivery, and content tailored to the real-world needs of road professionals, engineers, and public works staff.

With this learner-first approach, Good Roads is making it easier for municipalities—big and small—to access high-quality professional development, no matter where they are located or how busy their schedules may be. From micro-learning modules to low-bandwidth course design, our goal is simple: to help every learner succeed. Read the full success story on D2L’s website to see how Good Roads is shaping the future of municipal training.

Read the full story on D2L.com

Good Roads is proud to announce that we have been awarded Gold in the Best Association Professional Development Program category at the 2025 Brandon Hall Group™ HCM Excellence Awards.

This international recognition celebrates organizations that deliver innovative and effective learning programs. Our award-winning professional development offerings empower municipal leaders, staff, and elected officials to gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed in today’s complex municipal environment.

The Brandon Hall Group™ HCM Excellence Awards are among the most prestigious in the learning and development field. Winners are selected by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, and evaluated based on criteria including program design, measurable results, and positive impact on participants.

Earning Gold reinforces what many in Ontario’s municipal sector already know: Good Roads’ training programs are among the most respected and impactful in the country. From technical road design courses to leadership and governance workshops, our curriculum is designed to help municipalities operate more effectively, meet community needs, and plan for the future.

“This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our instructors, staff, and the municipal professionals who trust us with their learning,” said Scott Butler, Good Roads Executive Director. “We are honoured to receive this award and remain committed to delivering training that makes a measurable difference.”

We invite municipal professionals across Canada to experience the quality that earned us this recognition. Explore our courses and see how Good Roads can help you and your organization reach your goals.

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