We’ve got a problem. Our school zones aren’t what they should be. 9 out of 10 parents witness dangerous driving in school zones. School staff in Ontario spend over 700,000 hours per year dealing with traffic issues! Less than 25% of kids use active modes of transportation and less than 1 in 10 kids are getting their daily recommended physical activity.
It’s time to intervene, and that’s what the National Active School Streets Initiative (aka “School Streets”) has been doing across Canada. School Streets creates car-free zones in front of schools. These car-free zones help increase rates of physical activity, create safer spaces for children to travel to and from school, improve air quality, and foster community connections.
This Voices for Action panel brought together people who have been leading School Streets in communities based in B.C., Ontario, and Quebec. Hear first-hand how these implementations have provided solutions and improved community happiness and health.
Meet the Panelists:
Pascale Angleviel (elle)
Pascale joined MOBI-O in 2024 to develop and implement initiatives that promote sustainable mobility. (MOBI-O = Centre d’expertise en mobilité de l’Outaouais et de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue.)
Drawing on several years of experience managing environmental projects for non-profit organizations and local communities, Pascale now leads MOBI-O’s Mobilisation team.
The Mobilisation team designs and delivers projects that promote active transportation and sustainable mobility for businesses, municipalities, and schools. The team coordinates the “Going to School on foot or by bike… I Can Do It!“ campaign, which supports schools in implementing initiatives that encourage safer and more active travel. Since 2023, the campaign has also expanded to include the implementation of School Streets in Gatineau, helping create safer, more welcoming environments that encourage children to walk and cycle to school.
Alyshia Burak (she/her)
Alyshia Burak is a School Active Travel Planner with the City of Vancouver, bringing more than a decade of experience advancing sustainable transportation initiatives that help families walk, bike, and roll to school. She leads Vancouver’s participation in the National Active School Streets Initiative and has delivered School Streets at 14 schools since the City’s program launched in 2021. As a mom of two, Alyshia is often found riding around the city on her family’s bright yellow cargo bike, sharing the freedom and joy of cycling with her kids.
Fion Ho (she/her)
Fion Ho is the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Coordinator at the City of Markham, with over 14 years of municipal experience in active transportation. She has managed a range projects, including Markham’s Active Transportation Master Plan, the Markham Cycles Bike Hub Program, Markham Cycling Day, and the Active School Travel Program. Fion is currently involved in the School Streets Project, delivered in partnership with the York Region District School Board, to help create safer and more welcoming environments around schools.
Reena Mistry (she/her)
Reena Mistry is a Senior Planner, Active School Travel Coordinator with the York Region District School Board. In this role she collaborates with school communities and a broad range of stakeholders to build capacity for active school travel initiatives and enhance school zone safety. Reena has successfully led and implemented several pilot programs designed to advance active transportation and foster sustainable travel habits among students and families. She is passionate about developing innovative strategies that encourage active lifestyles while supporting healthier, safer, and more connected school communities. Reena brings more than 8 years of experience in school travel planning.
Resources and Links shared during the Panel:
- GCC’s Sustainable Mobility program.
- GCC’s School Streets program.
- School Streets implemented in the 2025/26 school year.
- Job posting: join GCC as a School Travel Planner.
- About MOBI-O.
- Gatineau MOBI-O School Streets.
- “At school on foot or by bike, I am capable!” campaign by MOBI-O.
- Details on MOBI-O’s Rue-école Monseigneur-Charbonneau.
- The City of Markham’s School Streets Initiative 2026.
- City of Markham and York Region District School Board School Streets.
- City of Vancouver’s School Streets initiatives.
- A volunteer’s guide to setting up a School Street video by the City of Vancouver.
- Apply to join GCC’s Community of Practice for the National Active School Streets Initiative.