Managing Sustainable Growth in the School Crossing Guard Program - by Councillor Shelley Carroll, seconded by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie

Since that transition, however, the costs associated with managing the program have escalated from $8M to over $30M annually, driven by increased demand due to new school developments and rising operational needs. To sustainably meet these needs, Toronto must explore options that allow the School Crossing Guard Program to grow while managing budgetary impacts effectively. In other jurisdictions, volunteer-based crossing guard programs have been used to supplement traditional models, often through partnerships or community engagement initiatives. This motion seeks to direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, to explore a range of alternative models for the School Crossing Guard Program that support sustainable growth without compromising the program's quality and effectiveness. Importantly, this initiative is not intended to reduce or eliminate the roles of existing crossing guards but rather to identify solutions that will ensure these critical services can adapt to Toronto's evolving needs in a sustainable manner.