Traffic fatalities in Toronto have risen 28 percent this year compared to the same period last year, with 23 people killed in traffic-related incidents so far in 2026. The increase reaches 44 percent when compared to the same period in 2024.
Speed was a factor in the majority of the fatal incidents, but police say there were other contributing factors. A significant portion of these fatalities were caused by distracted or careless driving, with people not paying attention while performing dangerous manoeuvres.
The biggest rise in fatalities has occurred in two key groups: pedestrians and motorcycle riders have seen the greatest increase. Despite efforts by the city to make streets safer, the trend continues to worsen.
Jess Speaker from the advocacy group Friends and Families for Safe Streets says the province bears significant responsibility. She argues this is exactly what advocates warned about when the premier eliminated the speed safety camera program.
The mayor has also weighed in on the debate, saying she believes bringing speed cameras back would help reduce fatalities. She called for 150 cameras to be deployed in school and community zones across local neighbourhoods.
The surge in traffic deaths comes at a particularly sensitive time as Toronto prepares to host FIFA World Cup matches. City officials are concerned about the safety of the hundreds of thousands of additional pedestrians and visitors expected during the tournament.
CBC News has reached out to the province for a response to the criticism but has yet to receive a reply. Road safety advocates continue to push for the reinstatement of automated speed enforcement as the most effective tool to reduce dangerous driving.