Toronto to ban cars on stretch of major street for 2 months this summer

Toronto just effectively banned car traffic along a busy stretch of Church Street, with City Council voting on Thursday to adopt a pedestrianization pilot for the Church-Wellesley Village.

Council voted overwhelmingly in favour of the pedestrianization project, with the plan passing by a vote of 20-4.

The pilot will transform two blocks of Church between Wellesley St. E. and Alexander St. into a car-free zone for two months between June 19 and Aug. 21.

The Church Street pedestrianization project is APPROVED 20-4. Church between Wellesley Street East and Alexander Street will be made car-free between June 19 and August 21. pic.twitter.com/zQUzf3I5CT

— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) May 22, 2026

Only four councillors representing car-dependent areas of the city opposed the plan, including frequent naysayer Stephen Holyday.

However, there could still be a speed bump in this plan, as pro-suburbanite councillor and (failed) mayoral candidate Brad Bradford has built an off-ramp into the plan just in case the car-dependent make a huge fuss (spoiler: they will).

A successful motion from councillor multiBrad will allow City staff to end the project early in the event of "unacceptable impacts" to motorists.

Bradford's motion to authorize staff to cut the Church Street pedestrianization project short if there are too many "unacceptable impacts" CARRIES 16-8. pic.twitter.com/VJSNazfWnj

— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) May 22, 2026

The pilot is set to make Pride even more of a celebration this year, shutting down traffic at the epicentre of festivities and encouraging the public to get out and enjoy the celebration.