Piétons Québec, Vélo Québec, and the collective Pas une mort de plus, call on the Québec government to respect its commitments
Montreal, Thursday, August 28, 2025 - Two years after the adoption of the Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2028, Piétons Québec, Vélo Québec, and the collective Pas une mort de plus, are concerned about the cuts made to the Financial assistance program for the development of active transportation in urban areas (TAPU). In fact, the funds allocated have been cut, from $38 million for 2024-2025 to $20 million for 2025-2026. Improving the program was one of the key commitments made by the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility in the Road Safety Action Plan.1 which was intended, in particular, to enable municipalities to meet their new obligation to make school routes safer. With the start of the new school year well underway in Quebec, organizations and parents are calling on the government to meet its road safety commitments by finding funds to compensate for the cuts.
«These cuts are having a very real impact on the implementation of concrete projects to promote safe walking, particularly around schools,» says Sandrine Cabana-Degani, Executive Director of Piétons Québec. «With the start of the new school year, thousands of Quebec children no longer know when their walk to school will be safe,» continues Ms. Cabana-Degani.
These cuts halved the number of projects funded: only 40 projects out of 133 were selected for the 2025-2026 period; by contrast, for the 2024-2025 period, 97 projects out of 158 were funded.
«Presented as a key measure to support municipal action when the road safety strategy was launched, TAPU is essential to improving our safety record. It's also a program that's helping to establish a genuine culture of active transportation throughout the territory. Its effects go far beyond the investments made: safety improvements generate considerable spin-offs for our communities. All we ask is that the government respect its commitments and find the necessary funds to compensate for the cuts,» adds Jean-François Rheault, President and CEO of Vélo Québec.
«The government is letting parents down and jeopardizing the health and safety of children on school roads. This is an unacceptable step backwards, barely two years after the unveiling of the road safety action plan that the Minister said she wanted to succeed at all costs,» deplored the parents of the Pas une mort de plus collective.
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1 Commitment 3: Inject an additional 68 M$ over 5 years to finance developments aimed at improving the safety of active transport in school zones and corridors. (Commitment 3.1. Bonus the TAPU 3 by 68 M$ (for the period 2023-2028).), Measures from Plan action at safety road 2023-2028.
Information
Chloé Fortin Côté - Communications and Public Affairs Officer 514 394 0002 - France [email protected]
About Piétons Québec
Piétons Québec is the national organization for the collective defense of pedestrians' rights.
Demanding, optimistic and inclusive, it advocates safety and comfort for all those who travel on foot in Quebec. Because of the immense individual and collective benefits of getting around on foot, it is also committed to promoting walking as a mode of travel and increasing its use.
Focused on collaboration and partnership, it raises awareness, mobilizes, equips and influences citizens as well as public decision-makers afin transforming social norms, the regulatory framework and built environments in favor of pedestrians.
About Vélo Québec
Vélo Québec's mission is to develop a cycling culture for everyone, everywhere in Quebec. A national recreational organization recognized by the Quebec government, Vélo Québec promotes the use of bicycles for fins of recreation, tourism or as a means of active transportation, afin order to improve the health and well-being of the population, contribute to the economic vitality of our regions and address our environmental defis.
With its unique and original expertise, Vélo Québec is a figure of reference in the planning, development and management of cycling infrastructures. Its know-how is put to profit in the municipal sector and among players involved in the transition to sustainable mobility.
In addition to its events, trips, publications and technical expertise, Vélo Québec coordinates education and mobilization programs, and oversees the deployment and standardization of Route verte.
Vélo Québec is also a key interlocutor with various levels of government to identifie needs and solutions afin improving and increasing bicycle use.
About Pas une mort de plus
We are parents and citizens who, in the wake of little Mariia's death, are launching a collective cry from the heart to demand a fin end to the road insecurity experienced by all those who choose active modes of transport, especially children on school routes.
