Published plans and annual reports 2024–2025: Ministry of Transportation

Ministry overview

Ministry of Transportation vision

Be a worldwide leader in moving people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably across Ontario so that all people and businesses can easily access the places, opportunities and services that help them thrive.

Ministry contribution to government priority outcomes

The Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) plan supports economic growth by making investments that create jobs, accelerate the building of infrastructure, support housing and facilitate the safe, and efficient movement of people and goods. Working with other ministries, it also delivers efficient, equitable, and user-focused services for people and businesses in Ontario by improving online service delivery and enabling faster and easier transactions that save them time and money.

Core commitments and key deliverables

1 - Delivering on investments over the next 10 years of $27.4 billion to build and expand roads and highways, and $67.5 billion to develop the next generation of transit infrastructure across Ontario.

• Advancing work on key highway projects such as the Bradford Bypass, Highway 413, the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) Garden City Skyway Bridge Twinning, and Highway 7 from Kitchener to Guelph.
• Continuing widening of existing corridors across the province, such as Highway 404 from Highway 407 to Major Mackenzie Drive in Markham, Highway 11/17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon, Highway 17 between Kenora and the Manitoba border, and Highway 3 between Essex and Leamington.
• Supporting the planning and design for new interchanges at Highway 401 and Lauzon Parkway in Windsor, Highway 416 and Barnsdale Road in Ottawa, and the construction of a new municipal interchange at Banwell Road and E.C. Row Expressway in the City of Windsor.
• Advancing implementation of priority transit projects, including the Ontario Line, Scarborough Subway Extension, Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, Yonge North Subway Extension, Hazel McCallion Line (including extension to Brampton) and Hamilton LRT.
• Continuing to progress on expanding passenger rail service, including two-way, all-day GO service to core segments of the rail network, extending GO train service to Bowmanville, increasing rail service to Milton and the Niagara region, and bringing back the Northlander passenger rail service.

2 - Building a future-ready, multi-modal, safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation system through innovative frameworks, programs and emerging technologies.

• Moving forward with innovative, long-range Ontario-wide transportation plans that seeks to improve the capacity of Ontario’s transportation network to support the health, economic and social well-being of all Ontarians.
• Continuing to deliver the $91 million electric vehicle (EV) ChargeON Program to support the deployment of public EV charging stations throughout Ontario.
• Implementing initiatives to improve road safety by tackling the top causes of collisions, including speeding and impaired driving.
• Implementing the Ontario Marine Transportation Strategy, which sets out actions to support Ontario’s 10-year vision for building a strong and sustainable marine sector.
• Launching the Ontario Transit Investment Fund to deliver local and intercommunity transportation projects in unserved and underserved areas in Ontario, particularly in rural areas.
• Continuing to implement the One Fare program, which removes double fares across the GTA, and working with municipal partners towards more convenient and affordable transit across the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region (GGH) through improved fare and service integration.

3 - Ensuring accountability and trust in major taxpayer funded investments, agency and third-party delivered programs to ensure every dollar is spent wisely and Ontarians are getting value for money.

• As part of the New Deal with the City of Toronto, MTO is advancing work to upload the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway, subject to third-party due diligence, to ensure the long-term sustainability of these un-tolled highways, for the benefit of drivers across the Greater Toronto Area and the provincial economy.
• As part of the New Deal with the City of Ottawa, MTO is also advancing work to upload Ottawa Road 174 in Ottawa with due diligence being initiated this year.
• Continuing to expand transportation and transit infrastructure by streamlining approvals to build infrastructure that communities and municipalities need to grow and prosper.
• Continuing to engage with the federal government to seek funding to support priority transit and highway projects.
• Ongoing oversight of agencies (Metrolinx, Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, and Owen Sound Transportation Company) and third-party delivery agents of transportation services such as Driver Examinations and highway maintenance to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and value for money.

4 - Reducing burden and making it easier for people and businesses to engage with Ontario’s transportation system by streamlining services, providing new digital products and replacing outdated IT systems.

• Launching a new licence plate renewal process for eligible vehicles, including automated renewals for drivers in good standing, saving vehicle owners more than 900,000 hours each year.
• Enhancing the Highway Corridor Management System, a 24/7 online application that allows construction companies, developers, municipalities, and the public to submit permit applications and land development reviews and provides a single point of contact with MTO for highway corridor management permits and land development reviews, with improvements incorporating user feedback.
• Continuing with a multi-phased initiative to transform the way the ministry and its partners deliver driver and vehicle-related services to Ontarians.

Ministry programs

Integrated Policy and Planning Program develops transportation policies and plans to improve mobility and access to goods and services for people and businesses in Ontario and build a future ready transportation system that includes emerging technologies. It is responsible for identifying the long-term, strategic interests of the Province with respect to Ontario's transportation system for all modes. It develops policies, plans and programs to support an efficient, safe, equitable, sustainable, and integrated, transportation system in Ontario. The division also works to advance Ontario's strategic transportation objectives with other provincial ministries and government agencies, the federal government, other provinces, municipalities, and Indigenous communities.

Transit Program oversees the design, delivery, and decision-making of the province’s investments in public transit. The program is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies and funding programs that support and optimize public transit across the province. The program also provides oversight of the delivery of provincial transit capital projects as well as the design and execution of strategies for the planning, funding, and delivery of provincial and municipal transit and transportation projects across Ontario.

Transportation Infrastructure Management Program is responsible for infrastructure investment, asset management, design and engineering, and capital delivery activities related to provincial infrastructure (highways, ferries, remote airports), working with relevant provincial agencies such as Infrastructure Ontario as needed. The program helps ensure provincial transportation infrastructure projects, including highway and bridge rehabilitation activities, and new expansion projects, are planned and delivered to safely, efficiently, sustainably and equitably move people and goods to support a globally competitive economy and high quality of life. The program also continues to explore and implement improved and more environmentally friendly techniques and materials for construction including asphalt paving, pavement preservation and concrete construction. This is supported through specialized laboratory testing of materials, including asphalt, cement, concrete, steel and aggregates for road and bridge construction.

Operations Program oversees the operations and maintenance of the provincial highway network and related transportation services to protect and maximize the effectiveness of public investments in highway infrastructure. The Operations Program also provides airport services in 29 remote northern Ontario communities (primarily First Nation communities), traveller information services to the motoring public, and supports 11 ferry services across the province. Additionally, the program provides funding for roads in 53 First Nations, and funding for the design, construction, renewal, rehabilitation, and projects related to municipal roads including those designated as Connecting Links to the provincial highway network.

Transportation Safety Program develops and implements strategies to improve transportation system safety and mobility that transforms the way MTO and its partner ministries deliver driver and vehicle services using a people centered and digital first approach. The program leads and actively participates in developing, promoting, and evaluating transportation safety initiatives and best practices. The program works with many partners, including law enforcement agencies, safety organizations, the medical community, academic researchers and the insurance industry to reduce collisions, fatalities and injuries on all provincial roads and modes of transportation.

Oversight and Agency Governance Program acts as a centre of excellence for oversight and accountability for the ministry’s agencies – Metrolinx, Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC) and Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC). It executes on best practices related to third party service management, compliance, ensuring quality of service and stewardship of taxpayer funds.

Ministry Administration Program provides leadership for the ministry in several key areas, including internal and external communications services, transformation, enterprise risk management, business improvement and innovation, financial planning, procurement and controllership, strategic human resource planning, government-wide fleet operation and management, and accommodations management.

Labour and Transportation Cluster Program is delivered by the ministry’s Labour and Transportation I+IT Cluster (LTC), who are responsible for innovative technology projects that address ministry business requirements, enhance program delivery, enable new business opportunities, improve customer service, and provide digital leadership to MTO and Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) programs and projects.

2024-2025 Strategic plan

Delivery of key transit projects and programs

MTO will continue to work with agencies and partners to deliver on Ontario’s historic investment in the next generation of transit infrastructure to encourage greater transit use over the long-term.

Programs that contribute to the KPI result

• Transit Program
• Oversight and Agency Governance Program
• Integrated Policy and Planning Program

Measurement of performance against target will be based on ridership data sourced from the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA)’s Transit Fact Book. The impacts of the pandemic on travel trends continues to affect achievement of transit ridership targets.

Key Programs and Initiatives include:

• Advancing implementation of the GO Rail Expansion program, will transform core segments of the GO rail network to provide electrified, two-way, all-day service, as well as working to increase services to Kitchener, Niagara, Milton, and Bowmanville.
• Advancing implementation of priority transit projects including the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, the Yonge North Subway Extension, and the Hamilton LRT.
• Ensuring the safe completion of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and the Finch West LRT so that both lines are brought into revenue service, as well as continuing construction on the Hazel McCallion Line, and planning and design for future Hazel McCallion Line extensions.
• Working collaboratively with all municipal partners towards more convenient and affordable transit across the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region (GGH) through improved fare and service integration, including through the implementation of the One Fare program.
• Advancing the return of the Northlander passenger rail service, providing people with a safe, reliable, and convenient travel option in Northeastern Ontario.
• Launching the Ontario Transit Investment Fund, which would provide annual funding to deliver local and intercommunity transportation projects in unserved and underserved areas in Ontario, particularly in rural areas, building on the success of the Community Transportation Grant Program.

Highway, Road, and Bridge Infrastructure and Operations

MTO will continue to deliver on its commitment to build, expand and improve the provincial highway network in order to reduce gridlock and support economic development.

Programs that contribute to the KPI results

• Transportation Infrastructure Management Program
• Operations Program
• Integrated Policy and Planning Program

Bridge and pavement condition data refer to the number of bridges and kilometres of pavement categorized as being in “good” condition per Ministry asset management systems. The condition categories are not an indicator of safety status of assets — the Ministry is committed to ensuring the safety of all its assets regardless of condition. In addition, the ministry is continuing to refine performance measurement approaches for the Province's highway expansion program.

Key Programs and Initiatives include:

• Continuing to maintain the province’s highway network to allow for safe and efficient movement of goods and people, while also delivering on the province’s ambitious highway infrastructure program.

Southern Ontario

• Making significant progress on the Highway 413 project, including continuing critical engineering work, refining the route for the proposed new transportation corridor, and advancing preliminary design to better connect Halton, Peel and York Regions.
• Advancing the Bradford Bypass project by awarding the contract for design and advertising and awarding a Construction Manager assignment for the West section of the corridor and making improvements to facilitate an interchange with Highway 400.
• Moving forward with the procurement of the QEW Garden City Skyway Bridge Twinning project, which includes construction of a new twin bridge on the QEW over the Welland Canal along a vital economic corridor between the US and Canada.
• Widening existing corridors across the province, such as Highway 404 from Highway 407 to Major Mackenzie Drive in Markham, Highway 400 between Langstaff Road and Major Mackenzie Drive, York Region, and Highway 3 between Essex and Leamington.
• Enabling the expansion of Highway 401 east from Brock Road in Pickering.
• Making improvements to the Highway 401 and Highway 4 Interchange in London, which will also enhance access to the site of the new electric battery plant in St. Thomas.
• Advancing work to support the new Highway 7 from Kitchener to Guelph, including replacement of the Frederick Street Bridge in Kitchener.
• Conducting third-party due diligence work for the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway, as part of the New Deal, that will include an assessment of all right-of-ways, airspace, underground ownership, and legal and corridor management controls.
• Conducting third-party due diligence work for Ottawa Road 174, as part of the New Deal with the City of Ottawa, including an assessment of condition of assets and required standards, ownership demarcation, utility costs, federal regulatory implications, legal, and corridor management controls.
• Supporting the planning and design for new interchanges at Highway 401 and Lauzon Parkway in Windsor, Highway 416 and Barnsdale Road in Ottawa, and the construction of a new interchange at Banwell Road and E.C. Row Expressway in the City of Windsor.

Northern Ontario

• Continuing work to widen Highway 17 from Kenora to the Manitoba border.
• Resurfacing Highway 144 from north of Highway 560 northerly to Highway 661, near Gogama.
• Continuing to widen Highway 69 from two to four lanes, from Parry Sound to Sudbury.
• Expanding Highway 11/17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon.

Improve and Maintain Transportation Safety

A key priority for MTO is to keep Ontario’s transportation network safe and ensure that the province’s transportation system remains among the safest in the world.

Programs that contribute to the KPI result

• Transportation Safety Program
• Operations Program
• Oversight and Agency Governance Program
• Integrated Policy and Planning Program

Measurement of performance against target will be based on data from the Ontario Road Safety report. Results for a given calendar year are usually not available until after the following year due to time required for data collection, and confirmation from law enforcement entities. As of 2021 (last available year of verified jurisdictional data), Ontario continues to be a leader in road safety.

Key Programs and Initiatives include:

• Continuing to implement initiatives to improve road safety by tackling the top causes of collisions, including speeding and impaired driving.
• Advancing initiatives to provide municipalities with tools to increase uptake in testing of micro-mobility options, including e-scooters and other urban mobility vehicles.
• Implementing new requirements for tow truck drivers applying for a Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA) certificate on or after July 1st, 2024, including completion of mandatory training requirements prior to receiving a certificate and new certification fees.
  • The ministry is continuing engagement with stakeholders, including the towing and vehicle storage sector, to address areas of concerns.
• Continuing to engage with the rail sector and participate in industry standards development committees, research groups, and other forums to enhance provincial rail safety. These efforts also include ongoing work with Transport Canada and Metrolinx to support rail safety and compliance with the Inspection Service Agreements.

Planning for a Multi-Modal and Sustainable Transportation System in Ontario

MTO is committed to developing integrated, evidence-based transportation plans, policies and programs to enable access and mobility options that make life easier for people and businesses. This priority supports the outcomes of improving and expanding public transportation systems across Ontario and increasing per capital use of transit as a result.

Key Programs and Initiatives include:

• Continuing to plan for a future ready, sustainable, and equitable transportation system through innovative, long-range transportation planning frameworks.
  • This includes developing a new Ontario-wide transportation plan, continuing with transportation planning in southwestern and eastern Ontario by summer and fall 2025, and ongoing implementation of Connecting the GGH. The ministry will also update Connecting the North with a 2051 horizon, incorporating input from the Northern Ontario Transportation Task Force.
• Building on the launch of the EV ChargeON Program, MTO will undertake procurement activities in spring to support the design, construction, installation, operations, and maintenance of proposed chargers at select government-owned sites, such as Ontario Parks, and rest stops.
  • Work will also continue to advance the Community Sites Stream of the EV ChargeON program to increase the number of public EV charging stations throughout Ontario.
• MTO is also implementing the Ontario Marine Transportation Strategy, which sets out actions to support Ontario's 10-year vision for building a strong and sustainable marine sector that facilitates the safe and efficient movement of goods and people. Key activities under the strategy include:
  • Establishment of a new, dedicated unit within MTO to implement the Strategy; act as the central point of contact for the marine industry stakeholders, Indigenous partners, local communities and other levels of government.
• Improving connections with rural communities to promote a higher quality of life for all Ontarians, MTO is upgrading ferry services for Wolfe Island and Amherst Island. This includes working with local municipalities to launch new electric vessels and improving related dock infrastructure.
  • MTO is also continuing to review the Provincial Ferries Program and will seek to develop a more streamlined, consistent model(s) for future program delivery.

Burden Reduction and Digital Transformation

Modernizing, digitizing, and continuously improving ministry programs and services is a key priority for the Ministry, so we can better leverage our data and ensure we put the people we serve at the centre of our work. MTO work in this area supports government-wide efforts to deliver best-in-class, user-centric and secure digital solutions.

Key Programs and Initiatives include:

• MTO is continuing with a multi-phased transformation of the way the ministry and its partners deliver driver and vehicle-related services to Ontarians. The overall objective of the program is to make it easier for Ontarians and businesses to access ministry services by embracing a digital-first, data driven and client-centred approach.
• MTO is continuing to modernize the Highway Corridor Management System (HCMS) as a convenient 24/7 online application system that allows construction companies, developers, municipalities, utility companies, conservation authorities, and the public to submit and track permit applications, land development reviews and general inquiries. The service will further reduce burdens for applicants and provide a single point of contact with MTO Highway Corridor Management permits and land development reviews.
• Following changes to the Highway Traffic Act (February 2024), MTO, in partnership with the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery, is developing a new licence plate renewal process for eligible vehicles. Automated renewals for drivers in good standing who do not have outstanding fines or tickets are planned to begin this summer, saving vehicle owners more than 900,000 hours each year.

Note: Graph excludes adjustments for General Real Estate Portfolio (GREP) ($9.4 Million) and Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (IO) ($5.2 Million)

Detailed financial information

* Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2024 Ontario Budget.

* Estimates and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure.

The decrease between 2023-24 and 2024-25 is mainly due to changes in projected amortization profiles.

For additional financial information, see:

• Expenditure Estimates
• The Public Accounts of Ontario 2022–23

Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs)

Metrolinx

Metrolinx was created in 2006 and has a mandate to provide leadership in the coordination, planning, financing, development, and implementation of an integrated transit network in the GGH. The agency is responsible for the operation of the GO Transit system, the PRESTO fare card payment system, the Union-Pearson (UP) Express, as well as planning and construction of a number of rapid transit, subways, and heavy rail projects throughout the region. Metrolinx also acts on behalf of municipalities as a central procurement agency for local transit system vehicles, equipment, technologies, and related supplies and services.

Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC)

The ONTC’s mandate is to provide efficient, affordable, safe, and reliable transportation services in Northern Ontario. Current business lines include: the Polar Bear Express (PBX) passenger rail service between Cochrane and Moosonee, and the Cochrane Station Inn; motor coach services, including bus parcel express, throughout Northern Ontario connecting to Toronto, Ottawa, Thunder Bay and into Manitoba to Winnipeg; rail freight services from North Bay to Hearst across the northeast Highway 11 corridor, with a rail line extending into Quebec; and rail remanufacturing and repair services. ONTC is also advancing work to bring back passenger rail service in Northeastern Ontario.

Owen Sound Transportation Company, Limited

The Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC) is a non-share capital corporation incorporated under and subject to the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). OSTC is mandated to provide safe, efficient, and reliable ferry transportation in the Province of Ontario. OSTC is mandated to deliver the Manitoulin Service; OSTC owns the MS Chi-Cheemaun which serves the ports of Tobermory and South Baymouth on the southeastern edge of Manitoulin Island. OSTC is also responsible for the Moose Factory Island Service, as OSTC owns the MV Niska 1, which serves Moosonee and Moose Factory Island on the Moose River in Northern Ontario. OSTC subcontracts the operation of the ferry to Complex RE Limited Partnership (previously Moose Band Development Corporation).

Additionally, OSTC provides vessel management services for MTO for three vessels – the M.V. Pelee Islander and the M.V. Pelee Islander II, and the M.V. Jiimaan – to operate the Pelee Island Transportation Service. OSTC also administers a contractor operated daily air service between the Ontario mainland and Pelee Island during the winter months when the ferry service is not in operation.

Ministry organization chart

April 2024

• Deputy Minister - Doug Jones
  • Executive Advisor, Deputy Minister’s Office - Shireen Mohammed
    • ADM, Oversight and Agency Governance Division - Melissa Djurakov
      • Director, Metrolinx Agency and Oversight - Mike McRae (Acting)
      • Director, Program Oversight and Integrity - Ben Sopel
      • Director, Contract Design and Implementation - Vacant: TBC
    • ADM, Transit Division - Felix Fung
      • Director, Transit Capital and Operations - James Pearce
      • Director, Transit Strategy and Programs -Kevin Dowling (Acting)
      • Director, Transit Delivery and Partnerships -Ewa Downarowicz
    • ADM, Integrated Policy and Planning Division - Jonathan Lebi
      • Director, System Planning - Greg Malczewski (Acting)
      • Director, System Optimization Policy - Alena Grunwald
      • Director, Transportation Policy - Katie De Palma
      • Director, Indigenous Relations - Dawn Irish (Acting)
      • Director, Policy Coordination and Intergovernmental - Michael Casey (Acting)
    • ADM, Transportation Infrastructure Management Division - Eric Doidge
      • Director, Asset Management - Michelle Pasqua
      • Director, Toronto Expressways Secretariat - Megan Chochla (Acting)
      • Director, Standards and Contracts - Bruce Cane (Acting)
      • Chief Engineer - Alain Beaulieu
        • Director, Major Infrastructure Projects - Malvika Rudra
        • Director, Capital Program Delivery - Kevin Boudreau (Acting)
        • Director, Design and Engineering - Michelle McGrath (Acting)
    • Associate DM, Transportation Safety Division - Marcelle Crouse (Acting)
      • Director, Commercial Inspection and Enforcement - Sean McGowan
      • Director, Commercial Safety and Compliance - Jennifer Eliott
      • Director, Safety Program Development - Amanda Doobay (Acting)
      • Director, Driver and Vehicle Services - Logan Purdy
      • Director, Project Planning and Delivery - Marc Faubert
    • ADM, Operations Division - Jasan Boparai
      • Director, North Operations - Herb Villneff
      • Director, East Operations - Franca Sacchetti
      • Director, Central Operations - Becca Lane
      • Director, Transportation User Services - Colin Simons
      • Director, Highway Operations Management - Sheri Graham (Acting)
      • Director, West Operations - Geoffrey Gladdy
    • CIO, Labour and Transportation Cluster, I&IT - Roman Corpuz
      • Director, Digital Solutions - Leah Nemirovski
      • Director, Operations, Maintenance and Support - Ed Bennett (Acting)
      • Director, Ministry Engagement and Advisory - Marlene Bennett (Acting)
      • Director, Project Management and Program Delivery - Rhiaz Khimany
      • Director, Strategic Technologies, Architecture and Data Services - Diana Barbato
    • CAO / ADM, Corporate Services Division - Virginia McKimm
      • Director, Strategic HR - Brenda Augerman-Audette
      • Director, Finance - Vrinda Vaidyanathan
      • Director, Business Support Services - Sejal Jain (Acting)
      • Director, Organizational Effectiveness - Andrea Morley (Acting)
      • Director, Business Services Transformation - Shaleena Kitchlu (Acting)
      • Legal Services - Mary Gersht
      • Internal Audit Services - Vince Conti
  • Director, Communications - Marc Hudon

Annual report

2023-24 Results

Delivery of Key Transit Projects and Programs

Advancing Transit Infrastructure Projects to Improve Connections Across Communities

• Eglinton Crosstown West Extension: Tunnelling on the project has continued to advance. As of March 1, 2024, approximately 6km of tunnel boring between Renforth Drive and Scarlett Road has been completed. Work is underway on the tunnel boring machine extraction site just west of Scarlett Road. In February 2024, the contract to design and build the second underground segment, between Mount Dennis Station to a portal east of Jane Street, was awarded. In March 2024, a Request for Qualifications was issued for the Stations, Rail and Systems contract, which includes the design and construction of seven new stations and all rail and track components and systems equipment.
• Ontario Line: Throughout 2023, construction of the Ontario Line continued to progress with preparatory works, utility relocations and early station construction along the Line’s southern alignment. In early 2024, Metrolinx executed Development and Master Construction Agreements with construction partners to build key infrastructure along the northern segment.
• Scarborough Subway Extension: Tunnelling on the project began in January 2023 and has continued to advance from the launch shaft site at Sheppard Avenue East and McCowan Road towards Eglinton Avenue East and Midland Avenue, where it will be extracted.
• Yonge North Subway Extension: In December 2023, the Request for Proposals for the Advanced Tunnelling Contract was issued. Early upgrades at Finch Station, which includes improvements made to the electrical system that powers the rails, are complete.
• Hamilton Light Rail Transit (LRT): Throughout 2023-24, progress has been made on the Hamilton LRT project. Transit corridor lands have been designated under the Building Transit Faster Act, and water main construction has also commenced.
• Eglinton Crosstown LRT: Metrolinx continues to focus on finalization of outstanding construction and the safety and operational readiness testing and certification of the project.
• Hazel McCallion Line project: Guideway and track construction has continued along the route, including installation of a concrete passageway under the Lakeshore West rail tracks at Port Credit GO Station without impacting train service.
• Finch West LRT: construction continues, including at Finch West Station and Humber College Station, both of which have reached structural and mechanical completion. Along the route, stops are nearing completion, with and landscaping and final paving works underway. All light rail vehicles have been delivered and end to end testing has started.

Building More Frequent and Connected GO Transit Services

• The ministry and Metrolinx makes continued efforts to expand and build better GO Transit services to make it easier and faster for people to get where they need to, through:
  • Advancement of the Development Phase with ONxpress Transportation Partners as part of the delivery of the On-Corridor Works project – the largest project in Metrolinx’s GO Rail Expansion program.
  • Completion of major infrastructure upgrades at Old Elm, Milliken, and Agincourt GO Stations, providing better service and more connections to transit, jobs, and housing across the GO network.
  • Substantial completion of the Davenport Diamond Guideway project, improving GO Rail service along the Barrie Corridor.
  • Award of the contract for the construction of a new pedestrian tunnel connecting the Bloor GO and UP Express station with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Dundas West station, supporting the growth of a more interconnected regional transit network.
  • Continued construction of the new Confederation GO station. This new station will support a more integrated transit network for Hamilton, providing better connections to existing local transit and GO bus services, while facilitating future increased GO rail service opportunities to Toronto and Niagara Falls.
  • Advancement of improvements at Union Station as part of the transformational Union Station Enhancement Project, which will improve customer experience and connections and support GO service increases planned as part of the GO Rail Expansion program.
  • Awarded a contract to advance the planning to extend GO rail service east of Oshawa into Bowmanville, which includes new tracks and signals, seven new bridges and at-grade crossing upgrades.
  • Continued to advance infrastructure improvements along the Kitchener GO Line to enable two-way, all day service, including a new train platform at Guelph Central Station and new passing and storage tracks along the corridor.
  • Increased GO train service between Union Station and Niagara Falls, with more express service between Hamilton, Burlington and Toronto, to connect more people to jobs, housing and Canada’s top tourist destination.
  • Increased GO train service on the Kitchener line in April 2023, adding new weekend hourly rail service all day, in both directions, between Mount Pleasant GO and Union Station. The new weekend rail service also includes new direct GO bus connections from Mount Pleasant GO to Georgetown, Acton, Guelph Central, and Kitchener.

Bringing Back the Northlander

• MTO continued to work with the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) to reinstate the Northlander passenger rail service between Timmins and Toronto, including the purchase of three new trainsets.
  • Moving forward, implementation activities include detailed design and engineering, environmental assessment, Indigenous and municipal consultation and procurement and construction related to station and track improvement.

Improvements to PRESTO Fare Payment System

• On February 26, 2024, the province launched the One Fare program that allows riders to pay once as they transfer for free between the TTC and participating transit systems in the Greater Toronto Area, including GO Transit. One Fare will make cross-boundary travel more affordable and convenient for transit riders.
• Metrolinx continued to implement the PRESTO fare payment system across the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) and in Ottawa to make it easier for Ontarians to access transit services/ Throughout 2023-2024, Metrolinx completed delivery of contactless credit card and Interac debit payment to all transit agencies in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, including the TTC. In addition, Metrolinx also delivered PRESTO in Google Wallet, where a virtual PRESTO card can be loaded into the digital platform.

Supporting Municipal Transit Systems to Improve Services and Support Expansion

• The province’s 2023-2024 Gas Tax Program was launched in March 2024, providing up to $379.6 million in funding to 102 municipalities to support and grow their transit systems.
• Implementation of projects supported by the Community Transportation Grant Program continues, where the Province is providing up to $44 million over seven years (2018-2025) to 38 municipalities to support 43 local and intercommunity transportation projects in areas that are unserved or underserved by such services.
• The Public Transit stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program will provide federal and provincial funding for the expansion and upgrades of public transit networks across Ontario. Since the launch of the program in 2019, nearly 400 municipal projects have been approved for funding.
• Through the New Deal for Toronto, the Province is providing $300 million in one-time funding for subways and transit safety, recovery, and sustainability on the TTC network.

Ministry Key Performance Indicators

Footnote: Source of data is the Canadian Urban Transit Association’s Fact Books

Programs that contribute to the KPI result

• Transit Program
• Oversight and Agency Governance Program
• Integrated Policy and Planning Program

Baseline value reflects ridership trends pre-pandemic. As travel trends continue to adjust towards its new-normal state, ridership levels and targets will be adjusted accordingly. Note that timing of data availability to identify trend values and achievement of target lags by two years i.e., 2022 is the most recent data year available, with 2024 data only becoming available in early 2026, due to the time required to collect information/results.

Program Level Trends

Municipal Transit Ridership in Large Urban Centres

In 2022 (the most recent year with a full dataset), municipal transit ridership in Ontario continued to show signs of recovery from the declines that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data provided by the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA). While total ridership in Ontario increased to 584 million rides in 2022, representing an increase by 228 million rides, or 65% over 2021 ridership, it was still only 69% of the pre-pandemic level from 2019. This indicates progress towards full recovery, but overall municipal transit systems have not yet fully recovered their pre-pandemic ridership levels.

While a comprehensive dataset of ridership is not yet available for 2023, early evidence suggests an ongoing trend of uneven recovery, with some larger municipal transit systems reporting a return to pre-pandemic ridership levels while others progressed at a slower pace. The ministry will continue to work with municipal transit systems to collect ridership data to gain insights into Ontario's municipal transit networks.

Metrolinx Transit Ridership

Metrolinx transit ridership (GO trains, GO buses, and UP Express) continues to recover from the declines that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. Ridership in 2022-2023 (the most recent year with a full data set) was 41.1 million. This is an increase from 2021-2022 when ridership was 15.2 million but below the pre-pandemic ridership of 76.3 million. The ministry and Metrolinx continue to take actions to grow GO Transit ridership through investments in service improvements across the core network to bring two-way, all-day GO Transit service with faster trains, more stations and better connections. Achievement of target in 2023-2024 continued to be affected by ongoing volatilities in ridership as travel trends post-pandemic normalize, including accounting for adjusted travel behaviours during flu seasons.

Note: Historical figures for 2012-2013 through 2014-2015 show GO Transit ridership only. With the launch of UP Express service in June 2015, historical figures and targets from 2015-2016 onwards have been adjusted to reflect the new Metrolinx transit ridership figures, which include both GO Transit and UP Express services.

Metrolinx on-time performance

On-time performance is defined as within 5 minutes of scheduled arrival time for GO rail trips, within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival time for GO bus trips, and within 30 minutes of total run-time between Union and Pearson for UP Express trains.

The on-time performance of Metrolinx in 2022 was 95.7 per cent of trips. The ministry is targeting performance of 96 per cent in 2023.

Note: This indicator is not a province-wide measure and only reflects Metrolinx’s transit services (GO Rail, GO Bus, and UP Express).

Related link:

• 2023-2024 Metrolinx Business Plan
• Annual Reports and Corporate Plans

ONTC Ridership

ONTC's bus and passenger rail ridership made a gradual recovery to pre-pandemic levels throughout 2022-2023. Motor Coach ridership levels in 2022-2023 increased by 68 per cent over 2021-2022 while Polar Bear Express ridership levels were up 76% in 2022-2023 over the past year.

Related link: ONTC Annual Report 2022-2023

Related link: ONTC Annual Report 2022-2023

ONTC – On-Time Performance

ONTC defines on-time performance as within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival time for both motor coach and rail trips.

The on-time performance of the ONTC motor coach services for 2022-2023 was 73 per cent, a decrease of 8 percent from the previous year as a result of increased passenger volumes and vehicle traffic on roads and highways.

Related link: ONTC Annual Report 2022-2023

On time performance for the PBX in 2022-2023 was 94 per cent, a one percent increase from the year before.

Related link: ONTC Annual Report 2022-2023

Highway, Road, and Bridge Infrastructure and Operations

Supporting Municipal Economic Development and Fiscal Sustainability

• In November 2023, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto reached an agreement that will help achieve long-term financial stability and sustainability for the city.
  • Under this agreement, the province is uploading the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway, subject to due diligence. This proposal will ensure the long-term protection, preservation, and enhancement of these assets so that drivers and the provincial economy will continue to benefit.
• In March 2024, the province and the City of Ottawa reached an agreement that will help ensure the sustainable, long-term growth and prosperity of the nation’s capital and largest city in eastern Ontario for decades to come.
  • The province approved up to $9M operating funding over three years and capital funding of $228M over ten years to support various transportation priorities including design and construction of a new interchange at Highway 416 and Barnsdale Road, advancing the Kanata North Transitway, and improvements to Ottawa Road 174 while a review is underway to explore and assess the considerations related to provincial ownership of the road.
• In 2023-24 the ministry provided $30 million in funding through the Connecting Links Program to help municipalities across Ontario repair roads and bridges that connect to provincial highways and trade corridors. For 2023-24, MTO selected 21 projects for funding across the province.
• In addition, the ministry is providing funding of up to $73.8 million for the Timmins Connecting Link to reconstruct an approximately 21.4 kilometre stretch of Highway 101, which is one of the longest connecting links in Ontario and used by about 25,000 vehicles per day.

Investing in Highways, Roads, and Bridges to Improve Reliability and Connectivity of the Highway Network

• The ministry continued to deliver on its investments to improve highway trade corridors and supply chain fluidity, manage congestion and support a high quality of life for Ontario, including by allocating $3.2B in 2023-24 to repair and expand provincial highways and bridges.
• In 2023-24, MTO built 59 lane-kilometres of new or expanded highway and six new bridges, while repairing 1,533 lane-kilometres of highway and 89 bridges. The ministry also performed 500 maintenance audits and 45,376 maintenance site visits, inspected the pavement condition on 28,000 lane kilometres of MTO’s highways and inspected approximately 2,400 bridges, culverts and tunnels.

As part of the ministry’s efforts to build, expand and improve the provincial highway network, MTO advanced several key highway projects in 2023-24:

Southern Ontario

• Completed a Design Build project to construct a new interchange at Calabogie Road in Renfrew County as part of the phased expansion of Highway 17. The interchange includes a new structure over the existing highway, new ramps, new carpool lot and realignment of nearby side roads.
• Entered into a contract to use rapid bridge replacement technology to replace two bridges by 2025 along Highway 417, in Ottawa. Under this contract, Highway 417 will be closed for only 82 hours to fully demolish and replace the bridges.
• Continued early works on the Bradford Bypass with the construction of the Simcoe County Road 4/Yonge Street bridge. The Bradford Bypass is a new four-lane freeway connecting Highway 400 and Highway 404 in Simcoe County and York Region, that will relieve gridlock, create jobs, and spur economic growth in the rapidly growing GGH region.
• The Preliminary Design and Environmental Assessment for Highway 413 have advanced and will continue to progress. The ministry continues to advance the required field investigations including geotechnical/foundations and assessment of impacts to the natural environment and archaeology.
• Completed a new twin bridge on the QEW Credit River Bridge, which is enabling rehabilitation of the existing bridge without traffic disruptions.
• Completed Highway 400 bridge replacements at Highway 89 and Anne Street in Simcoe County.
• Completed Highway 401 improvements and widening in Southwestern Ontario, from Essex Road 42 to Merlin Road in Chatham-Kent and from Hespeler Road to Townline Road in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.
• Awarded a contract to design, build and finance the widening of Highway 3 between Essex and Leamington.
• Advanced procurement for the construction on the Frederick Street bridge in Kitchener, marking another milestone in its plan to widen Highway 7 between Kitchener and Guelph.
• Completed the rehabilitation of the Lyn Road Overpass, and improvements on Hallecks Road Underpass on Highway 401 to allow for the future expansion of Highway 401.

Northern Ontario

Note that funding for the construction and contract administration services for northern highways is provided through the Ministry of Northern Development

• Completed highway improvements, including resurfacing, bridge and culvert replacements and new traffic signals on:
  • Highway 63 - North of Hwy 533 northerly to Ontario/Quebec border, Eldee, Township of Jocko, Township of Clarkson, Township of Poitras;
  • Highway 17 – Sudbury easterly to Kukagami Rd, Township of Awrey, Township of Dryden, Township of Neelon; and
  • Highway 101 - Nat River Bridge, Township of Reeves.
• Established a new Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility to improve and maintain highway safety on Highway 11/17 - in Shuniah.
• Completed lane expansion on Highway 11/17 – in Ouimet, Shuniah, Dorion.

Ministry Key Performance Indicators

Highway pavement and bridges condition are categorized based on the need for repair, rehabilitation or replacement based on the asset management life cycle. The condition results do not reflect the safety status of these assets.

Programs that contribute to the KPI result

• Transportation Infrastructure Management Program
• Operations Program
• Integrated Policy and Planning Program

Program Level Measures

Notes:

• ¹ Centreline-km is defined as the linear length of construction, measured along the main highway alignment, including the entire right of way. Driving lanes, side roads, interchanges and entrances are not measured independently as they are included in the centreline-km unit (i.e., 10 km of a four-lane highway with three interchanges and side road improvements = 10 centreline-km).
• ² Lane-km is defined as the length of each lane within the contract limits added together (i.e., 10 km of a four-lane highway = 40 lane-km).

Improve and Maintain Transportation Safety

Maintaining Ontario’s Highways and Improving Safety and Efficiency

• The ministry continues to transition provincial highway maintenance contract renewals to models that have more prescriptive requirements, optimize winter maintenance routes and equipment requirements, and ensure contractors are following MTO’s best practices and method-based standards.
• The ministry is a recognized leader in implementing new technologies to support winter road maintenance and ensure the right amount of salt is distributed on the road at the right time. This is supported through an expanded network of 192 Road Weather Information System (RWIS) stations (176 Regular stations and 16 Mini RWIS sites) that provide timely road and weather data.
• In 2023, the ministry conducted approximately $5.4 million worth of work to treat phragmites, an invasive plant species, along the highway corridors to improve drainage, sightlines and minimize damage to highway infrastructure.
• The ministry advertised and tendered approximately $800 million worth of maintenance work to maintain the provinces highway network in the summer and winter.
• In September 2023, to promote highway safety, the ministry implemented a change under the Highway Traffic Act that prohibits the improper passing of snowplows working in echelon formation on provincial highways with a posted speed limit of 80 km/hr or higher.
• MTO is currently implementing the largest expansion of rest areas in its history, which includes the development of 10 new rest area sites and the rehabilitation of 14 existing sites to improve facilities. As of March 2024, three new sites have been constructed and 9 sites rehabilitated.

Promoting Safer Roads Through Legislation and Regulation

• MTO implemented a mandatory training course for drivers convicted of street racing/stunt driving or careless driving causing death or bodily harm.
• On September 1, 2023, the air brake knowledge test was eliminated, and replaced with a requirement for all air brake endorsement holders to complete a learning module at the time of renewal.

Towing Sector Reform

• The ministry implemented changes under the Towing and Storage, Safety and Enforcement Act to support the provincial certification of tow operators, vehicle storage operators, and tow truck drivers. In January 2023, the ministry also implemented changes to the regulations under the Highway Traffic Act removing most exemptions for tow operators under the Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration program and set minimum requirements for tow trucks.
• In 2023, MTO continued to develop regulations that set out requirements for the industry to implement the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA). Certificates for tow operators, tow truck drivers and vehicle storage operators were introduced in July 2023, and new customer protections and standards of practice came into effect in January 2024. MTO continued stakeholder engagement, including with the Towing Technical Advisory Group, municipalities, law enforcement, and tow and vehicle storage operators, to develop further regulations.

Railway Safety

• MTO has been undertaking a comprehensive review of provincial railway safety and oversight and is taking action to enhance rail safety and oversight across the province’s regulated railways. This includes exploring options for a safety oversight framework for urban and regional rail.
• MTO engaged with sector stakeholders though consultation sessions in the Summer and Fall 2023. MTO will continue to engage with the sector and participate in industry standards development committees, research groups, and other forums to further support the sector and inform options to enhance provincial rail safety.

Ministry Key Performance Indicators

Data sourced from the Ontario Road Safety report. Results for a given calendar year are usually not available until after the following year due to time required for data collection, and confirmation from law enforcement entities.

Ontario recorded a rate of 0.52 fatalities per 10,000 licensed drivers in 2021 (last available year of verified jurisdictional data) and ranked first with the lowest motor vehicle collision fatality rate in North America. Preliminary data for 2022 and 2023 show similar rates in this key performance indicator, at 0.54 and 0.52 fatalities per 10,000 drivers, respectively. Fatalities have fallen for more than a decade due, in part, to public education campaigns, road safety improvement programs, and effective enforcement.

Programs that contribute to the KPI result

• Transportation Safety Program
• Operations Program
• Integrated Policy and Planning Program

Program Level Measure

MTO’s highway winter maintenance is a continuous operation: Equipment usage and material placement are active 24/7 during and following a winter storm event until the bare pavement performance target has been achieved to ensure safe and efficient operations of our highway system.

Footnote: Bare pavement is when 95 per cent of the driving surface (edge line to edge line) is free of snow, slush and/or ice.

Programs that contribute to the KPI result

• Transportation Safety Program
• Operations Program

For winter highway maintenance in the province, MTO has established an annual performance target of 90 per cent to achieve bare pavement within specified timeframes. Over the past 10 years, the Province has met or exceeded this standard. The 90% target takes into consideration factors beyond the care and control of the maintenance contractors such as the severity of the winter season, intensity of storms, local geography and weather conditions, temperature ranges, traffic volumes, etc., all of which affect the successful achievement of the target.

In 2022-23, Ontario highways were cleared to the bare pavement standard within standard timeframes 98 per cent of the time. For 2023-24, winter maintenance performance thus far indicates that MTO is on target to meet or exceed the performance target.

Planning for a Multi-Modal, Equitable, and Sustainable Transportation System in Ontario

Preparing for the Future through Long-Range Transportation Planning

• Transportation planning is a core activity of MTO and is used to identify future transportation needs for all modes, in support of an efficient, safe, equitable, sustainable and integrated transportation system in Ontario.
  • In fiscal year 2023-24, MTO initiated work on a province-wide transportation plan, which included development of a preliminary province-wide strategic goods movement network, and a framework for continuous improvement to measure and report on progress in achieving the goals set out in regional transportation plans. MTO undertook targeted engagement with external stakeholders and Indigenous communities and organizations to inform this initial work.
• The ministry also continued work to forecast future socio-economic and environmental conditions for the eastern Ontario study, and the identification of needs and opportunities for different transportation modes was completed for southwestern Ontario in 2023. These efforts included engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations, municipalities, sector stakeholders and the public. The southwestern study is targeting completion in summer 2025, and the eastern study late fall of 2025.
• In February 2024, the ministry introduced the Get It Done Act (Bill 162) with support from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Ministry of Finance, to accelerate infrastructure delivery, facilitate the safe, efficient movement of people and goods, and enhance service delivery. Key MTO initiatives included:
  • Prohibiting new tolling of provincial public highways
  • Moving the freeze on driver’s licence and Ontario Photo Card original and renewal fees into legislation.
  • Enabling legislation that will describe the new process to automate licence plate renewals for drivers in good standing that do not have outstanding tickets or fines.
  • Applying Building Transit Faster Act, 2020 measures to the Hazel McCallion Line extensions (targeting implementation late spring 2024).
• The Northern Ontario Transportation Task Force, with representation from mayors, Indigenous Chiefs, and other business and transportation leaders, submitted their final report to the Minister in April 2023, following extensive discussions held throughout 2022-23. The Task Force fulfills a commitment in Connecting the North: A draft transportation plan for Northern Ontario and the Task Force’s work will support ongoing updates to the plan.
• Building off the actions highlighted in the Eastern Ontario and Greater Golden Horseshoe regional transportation plans, Ontario released its first-ever Marine Transportation Strategy in October 2023. The Strategy outlines the Province’s 10-year vision for building of a strong and sustainable marine sector and serves as a foundation that will make Ontario a leading jurisdiction in the years ahead. A first-of-its-kind in Ontario, the Strategy outlines 14 short- and longer-term actions anchored around four central pillars to support the sustainability and performance of Ontario’s marine sector.
• In the spring of 2023, the Province completed the Transportation Tomorrow Survey (TTS). The TTS is a voluntary household travel survey that collects detailed information on the travel patterns of residents in the GGH to understand current usage and forecast future demand and support transportation planning in the GGH, for roads, highways, transit, and active modes. The data processing and reporting will be completed in early 2024-25.
• The Province completed data collection for the Commercial Vehicle Survey (CVS), which was paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CVS is a road-side, in-truck intercept survey of truck drivers to collect information about truck trips and goods movement on the road network in Ontario. The data is used for transportation planning and forecasting, informing truck safety regulations and highway expansion and investment prioritization. The data processing and reporting will occur in 2024.
• The ministry continues to monitor the intercommunity bus sector. With sector deregulation in 2021, statutory reporting requirements for operators were transferred to MTO and new annual reporting requirements were established. Following consultation with the sector in June 2023, the ministry launched the second sector survey in September 2023. While service gaps remain in many northern and rural communities, many new private operators have entered the market and service levels are recovering towards pre-pandemic levels.

Delivery of the EV ChargeON program

• To support a future ready transportation system that leverages emerging technology, Ontario continued to advance the EV ChargeON program, which provides funding for the installation of public electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Ontario communities outside of major cities, allowing for a more connected, convenient and affordable charging network. In 2023-24, an open application for the Community Sites Stream intake was completed and applicants will be informed of funding decisions in 2024. In October 2023, MTO launched the $91M EV ChargeON Program to support the deployment of charging infrastructure outside of the province’s large urban centres.

Strengthening Relationships with Indigenous Peoples

• Ontario is working closely with Indigenous communities in the Kenora area to deliver the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway from the Manitoba border to the City of Kenora. MTO, with support from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), is working to build capacity and skills among Indigenous communities in the area, and to provide economic development opportunities while respecting Indigenous customs and traditions.
• In 2023, MTO continued to engage with Indigenous communities through Regional Roundtables. Agenda topics included how Indigenous communities can participate and be involved in MTO projects and Transportation Safety in Indigenous communities, MTO’s Actions in Response to the Calls for Justice Made by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
• In 2023-2024, nine projects led by Indigenous communities and organizations across the province were funded through the Indigenous Transportation Initiatives Fund. These projects focused on local transportation services, technical training initiatives, and road upgrades.
• The Ministry also increased driver examination service delivery to Indigenous peoples though expansion of existing program for remote and fly-in communities.

Burden Reduction and Digital Transformation

Supporting Digital First Investments

• In May 2023, Online Special Trip Permits was successfully launched, which enables a vehicle owner/registrant to purchase a second Special Permit online if they have purchased the first permit in person for the same vehicle within 365 days.

Reducing Burden and Making it Easier for Average Ontarians to Access Services

• As part of the Ontario Truck Inspection Station Automation Project, six Truck Inspection Stations (TIS) were equipped with Smart Roadside technology that is designed to screen commercial motor vehicles for defects, saving low-risk operators time and money.
• In 2023-24, the province also began offering applicants seeking complex Service Ontario counter transactions such as licence exchanges and applying foreign driving experience the opportunity to schedule their visit, at select locations.

* Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2024 Ontario Budget.

** Ontario Public Service Full-Time Equivalent positions.

Link: Published Plan and Annual Report 2023-24

Link to the 2024 Ontario Budget: 2024 Ontario Budget