CCMTA was excited to release Canada’s 5th Road Safety Strategy (RSS 2035+) in 2026. While long-term data show a significant decline in fatalities and serious injuries down 28% and 41% respectively compared to 20 years ago—recent years have seen concerning reversals. In 2023, Canada recorded 1,964 road fatalities, the highest number in the past 10 years, and 9,261 serious injuries, the highest in the last five years[i].
RSS 2035+ reflects our collective commitment to eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on Canadian roads, guided by the principles of the Safe System Approach (SSA) and the long-term vision - Towards Zero. The new strategy builds on the progress of previous decades while embracing innovation, inclusivity, and evidence-based action.
As a vital compontent to the educational sessions at this year’s CCMTA Annual Meeting, RSS 2035+ was profiled across various themes. Panelists and speakers led lively presentations and engaged participants in meaningful conversation. Missed them? No worries, we are pleased to share the 2026 educational sessions with you here:
UNDERSTANDING RSS 2035+ TOGETHER: DRIVING SAFETY FORWARD AS ONE COMMUNITY
This panel looked at the National Strategy’s vision, pillars, and the collective shared responsibility of making Canada’s roads safer. We know there is room for improvement.
Moderated by Kristin Ward-Diaz (AB), speakers Maria Campos (Vice President and Chief Customer and Product Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance), Roger Grove (Executive Director of Motor Vehicles and Registries, Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, and Secretary, AAMVA Board), Sarah Wells (Executive Director, Transportation Association of Canada), and Steve Sullivan (CEO, MADD).
View the panel discussion here.
The panel discussion is available in English only.
ROAD SAFETY & COMMERCIAL CARRIERS – TRAINING, AWARENESS, & ENFORCEMENT UNDER RSS 2035+
This panel explored how training, awareness, and enforcement must evolve in tandem to prevent fatal and serious injuries on Canadian roads.
Lynn Varty (AB) and Geoffrey Wood (Canadian Trucking Alliance) moderated speakers Chris McKee (Executive Director, Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association), Kim Richardson (President, Professional Truck Training Alliance of Canada), Shelley Walker (CEO, Women's Trucking Federation of Canada) and Rodney Weston (Chair, Board of Directors, Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA).
A key takeaway from this session is that effectiveness comes from collaboration and communication across all components of the commercial carrier system, fostering a coordinated, system-wide approach to addressing safety risks.
The panel discussion is available in English only.
THE SAFE SYSTEM APPROACH: SMART TECHNOLOGY VS. THE HUMAN FACTORS PERSPECTIVE
Toby Louie (BC) moderated two of Canada’s leading road safety researchers, Dr. Brenda Vrkijan from McMaster University, and Dr. Tarek Sayed from the University of British Columbia, who offered a dual-lens view of the future of safe mobility in Canada.
As our industry rapidly evolves with the introduction of new technologies, we can strategically leverage their capabilities to generate high-quality data and evidence, strengthening our understanding of risk factors and advancing more effective, evidence-based road safety interventions.
The panel discussion is available in English only.
RSS 2035+
This new Road Safety Strategy (RSS 2035+) will underpin much of CCMTA’s work in the coming years. By supporting the use of multiple, overlapping layers of protection—such as safe infrastructure, vehicle technology, and emergency response—and advocates for proactive, inclusive design, RSS 2035+ ensures safety for all road users, especially vulnerable populations.
Read the full strategy here: Canada's Road Safety Strategy 2035+_Feb 20_2026
The bilingual RSS 2035+ Tool Kit in the Resource section of the RSS website is your one-stop shop for ready-to-use materials and branded assets in support of promoting the strategy. Dig in and find info sheets, key messages, Q & As, social media assets, swag ideas, and a whole lot more to keep you on track of the vision - Towards Zero.
