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.

Explore Our Courses →

OAKVILLE, ON – Good Roads is delighted to announce Sarah Baker as the recipient of the 2024 Good Roads Bursary. Sarah, an incoming civil engineering student at the University of Ottawa, impressed the selection committee with her thoughtful and well-researched essay on integrating Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) into municipal infrastructure projects.

Sarah’s winning essay proposes practical and innovative strategies for municipalities to ensure infrastructure projects serve all members of the community. A key recommendation is to reform public consultation by moving beyond traditional formats and engaging residents in spaces they frequent daily, such as grocery stores, public libraries, and cultural festivals. “I think it’s essential just because it kind of reaches a wider spread of our population instead of just like a very specific circle,” Sarah stated in a recent interview. The goal is to gather more diverse feedback to create truly inclusive public works.

Her passion for this topic is rooted in personal experience. Throughout high school, Sarah used the Ride Well public transit program in Wellington County. This gave her a firsthand look at the critical role accessible transportation plays for students, seniors, and low-income community members in accessing jobs and essential services. Her essay uses the Ride Well program as a detailed case study, highlighting how its affordable, direct, and ride-sharing model could be a template for other municipalities across Ontario.

Recognizing the financial challenges these programs face, Sarah suggests that municipalities look to higher levels of government for grants to ensure their long-term viability without passing the cost on to the users who can least afford it.

Inspired by her father’s career in municipal infrastructure, Sarah is eager to begin her studies and pursue her long-term goal of becoming a structural engineer. She aims to design accessible and sustainable infrastructure for growing communities and hopes to one day mentor future generations of young engineers.

“It was really interesting to make that essay and kind of just learn more about my community itself,” Sarah said, offering advice to future applicants. “I would definitely say seek out for help…for like really good websites and just keep working at it”.

Good Roads congratulates Sarah Baker on this achievement. Her forward-thinking ideas and commitment to community improvement represent the very best of the next generation of infrastructure leaders.

To read Sarah’s full award-winning essay, click here.