Toronto Commuters Are Fed Up, Burned Out, and Done Pretending Traffic Is Acceptable
TORONTO, ON May 14, 2026 – A new Liaison Strategies poll confirms what Torontonians already experience every single day: traffic congestion has become one of the defining quality-of-life crises facing the city.
According to the poll, 88 percent of Torontonians say traffic is a serious problem, while 72 percent believe City Hall is doing a poor job coordinating road construction and closures.
For residents, commuters, businesses, delivery drivers, transit riders, emergency services, and parents trying to get across the city, the frustration is no longer occasional, it is constant.
“Toronto cannot continue accepting gridlock as normal,” said Chair Jeffrey Kroeker. “People are losing hours every week sitting in traffic because of poor coordination, lack of planning, and a failure to prioritize the movement of people and goods across the city.”
The city’s traffic problems are impacting economic productivity, public safety, emergency response times, small businesses, and overall quality of life.
Recent simultaneous road closures, transit disruptions, and lane reductions across key corridors have highlighted what many residents see as a lack of coordination and long-term transportation planning.
A Better City Toronto is calling for:
• Better coordination of road construction and lane closures
• A citywide congestion reduction strategy
• Faster decision-making and implementation on transit and infrastructure projects
• Traffic management policies as a priority to keep Toronto moving
“Torontonians are telling City Hall clearly: this is not working,” Interim Executive Director, Kelly Aizicowitz added. “People should be able to get to work, get home, access hospitals, run businesses, and move across the city without feeling trapped in permanent congestion.”
With the municipal election months away, Toronto’s gridlock crisis is becoming a defining ballot issue. A Better City Toronto will continue to advocate for solutions and raise awareness on this key issue, leading up to the municipal election. Join A Better City Toronto to fix Toronto: www.abctoronto.org
About A Better City Toronto:
A Better City Toronto is a not-for-profit organization of concerned citizens who believe Toronto must become a highly livable city that is the envy of the world. The City of Toronto is Canada’s economic engine. Our success helps Canada succeed. A Better City Toronto advocates for practical solutions to the issues that are holding our city back from its potential, such as congestion, community safety, affordability, and competitiveness. By working together, we can make Toronto a place where you can afford to raise a family, with new infrastructure, excellent public services, and an honest and transparent government. Learn more: www.abctoronto.org