Item - 2024.EX18.15

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council support the Good Road Association in their request to the Province of Ontario to establish an Ontario Rural Road Safety Program.

2. City Council forward a copy of the Item to The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, The Honourable Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation, The Honourable King Surma, Minister of Infrastructure, The Honourable Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, The Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs, The Honourable Trevor Jones, Associate Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health and the Good Roads Association.

As a Good Roads Board of Directors representing the City of Toronto, I am writing to express the strong support for the establishment of an Ontario Rural Road Safety Program, as outlined in the recent proposal by Good Roads.

Ontario roads are experiencing a troubling rise in fatalities. In 2023, there were 616 deaths and 36,090 injuries, with fatalities increasing nearly 20 percent over the past decade. The 2021 Ontario Road Safety Annual Report (ORSAR) reveals a concerning disparity: while rural Ontario has only 17 percent of the province's population, 55 percent of road fatalities occur on its roads. This disproportionate risk necessitates immediate action.

Simultaneously, municipal insurance premiums continue to rise. In the absence of joint and several liability reform, municipalities must explore innovative ways to manage risk, particularly on their roads.

This program is critical to addressing the alarming rise in fatalities and injuries on rural roads in our province. As the data clearly demonstrates, rural roads disproportionately pose a greater risk to drivers and pedestrians, despite representing a smaller portion of the population.

The program's multifaceted approach, which includes targeted safety audits, installation of modern safety infrastructure, and a focus on cost-effectiveness, offers a promising solution to this pressing issue. By the Province investing in rural road safety, we can not only save lives but also alleviate the burden on our healthcare system and reduce the financial strain on municipalities.

I am requesting that the City Council adopt this resolution supporting this program and forward it to the Premier and Minister of Transportation. By acting now, The City of Toronto can demonstrate support and commitment to the safety of all Ontarians and make a significant difference in reducing road fatalities.

Good Roads believes, the program is not only important for rural communities but also has broader implications for the entire province. By improving road safety in rural areas, we can reduce the number of accidents that occur on major highways and improve overall traffic flow.

We urge you to prioritize this issue and take immediate action to support the Ontario Rural Road Safety Program. Thank you for your immediate attention to this urgent matter.