The Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Québec issued Order 2025-07, extending an existing regulatory exemption under the Highway Safety Code (chapter C-24.2). This exemption relates to a municipality’s obligation to install proper signs or signals indicating zones designated for “free play” under local by-laws. This regulatory measure was set to expire on June 30, 2025. However, recognizing the continued relevance of the exemption, the Minister opted to extend its effect until 2030. The extension was enacted through the authority granted by section 633.2 of the Highway Safety Code, which allows the Minister—after consulting with the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ)—to temporarily suspend provisions of the Code or related regulations when such a decision is deemed in the public interest and unlikely to compromise road safety.

Section 633.2 also exempts such ministerial orders from the usual publication requirements of section 8 of the Regulations Act (chapter R-18.1), allowing for a more efficient process in circumstances where immediate or simplified regulatory action is necessary. In this instance, the Minister has determined that extending the exemption is in the public interest and maintains that it will not adversely affect the safety of highway users. Furthermore, the extension has followed due consultation with the SAAQ, the body responsible for road safety, insurance, and driver regulation in Québec. Their input supports the view that continuing to suspend the signage requirement for free play zones will not endanger public safety.

This measure is particularly relevant for municipalities that have established free play zones—public spaces where children can play with limited vehicle traffic—under their by-laws. The exemption relieves these municipalities of the burden of formally marking such zones with official traffic signs or signals, which can be a costly or impractical requirement, particularly in residential neighborhoods or areas with low traffic volumes. By extending the suspension of this obligation to 2030, municipalities can continue encouraging the creation and maintenance of child-friendly recreational areas without incurring the additional cost or procedural complexity of installing standardized signage.

The intent of the policy reflects a balancing act between facilitating active, safe public spaces for children and ensuring that core principles of road safety are upheld. The decision to extend the exemption signals the government’s ongoing commitment to flexible and locally responsive urban planning, especially in the context of sustainable mobility and the reallocation of public space for non-motorized uses. In this light, the measure also aligns with Québec’s broader transportation and mobility goals, which increasingly emphasize sustainability, livability, and equitable access to public space.

This order aims to provide municipalities with both regulatory certainty and operational leeway. This regulatory decision is an example of how legal frameworks can be adapted to support evolving urban needs with the intention of not compromising overarching safety principles.

Quebec (07/2025) June 11, 2025
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and do not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.