County supports Festive R.I.D.E. program ahead of provincial grant announcement

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

The County of Brant will once again back the Ontario Provincial Police’s Festive R.I.D.E. program, approving funding for a paid-duty contract even though provincial grant allocations for 2025-26 have not yet been announced. 

At last Tuesday’s Administration and Operations Committee meeting, councillors received a staff report recommending that the County authorize the contract in advance, as it has in previous years. The annual Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) campaign is a long-standing holiday initiative aimed at removing impaired drivers from roads while increasing police visibility and public education.

According to the report, the program is expected to cost approximately $15,000, an amount historically covered through the province’s Festive R.I.D.E. grant. The County has received funding for the initiative in each of the last three years. Should the province not approve the 2025-26 application, staff note the cost can be absorbed through the OPP policing budget without impacting the overall tax levy. 

In a letter to the County dated Dec. 2, Brant County OPP said the Ministry of the Solicitor General has not yet released the call for applications, but detachments anticipate hearing about funding allocations “in the coming weeks.” The detachment requested approval to proceed with the paid-duty contract in advance, noting that additional R.I.D.E. patrols are a “critical component in ensuring the safety of our community members during the holiday season.” 

Staff also recommended that beginning next year, the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to approve the program annually as long as it continues to be fully funded by the province after year-end reporting. The timing of provincial announcements, the report notes, often falls after the start of holiday enforcement. 

The committee endorsed the recommendation, sending it forward for final approval by council.

On November 20, 2025, Brant County OPP officially kicked off the 2025 Festive RIDE campaign, running until January 1, 2026. This annual initiative targets impaired driving and promotes safe, responsible choices during the holiday season.

The OPP remains committed to the Canada Road Safety Strategy 2025 through prevention, intervention, and enforcement.