Adult Crossing Guard Program

There are currently Crossing Guards stationed at over 260 intersections across the City of Ottawa for both the morning and afternoon bell times. To see all of the Crossing Guards in your neighbourhood see our interactive Google map on the right.

The City of Ottawa determines which intersections in Ottawa warrant a Crossing Guard, based on funding. The Ottawa Safety Council then hires, trains equips and manages the Crossing Guards for these intersections!

Parents, school faculty, and concerned citizens often approach us about having a Guard placed at an intersection.  We encourage all of these suggestions to be sent to the City via 311.ca. 

The City collects a list of these suggested intersections throughout the year, until a cut-off date of March 31^st.  Over the months of April, May & June they conduct different studies at the intersections on their lists (I.e., speed studies, stopping compliance studies, hazards) as well as pedestrian counts.  The City then looks at all relevant data and determines a score for the intersection.  

Suggested intersections and any supporting data can be sent directly to 311@ottawa.ca.

The Adult Crossing Guards don’t have a creed, but they do face some unpleasant environmental conditions in the course of their duties: snow, rain, heat, hail, strong winds, lightning storms and challenging traffic conditions.

No matter the weather, they are always on duty and ever vigilant to ensure children make the journey from curb to curb without incident. Your thanks and appreciation, as well as the knowledge of providing such a valuable community service, are what keep our guards coming back year after year.

If you have a positive story to share about your crossing guard or words of thanks to express your appreciation, please send them to us and we will share your words so that your children’s crossing guard can bask in the acknowledgment they so deserve. 

If you want to thank your guard, or share a story of how one of our crossing guards made your day, email us at comments@ottawasafetycouncil.ca

To nominate a guard for the Ottawa’s Favourite Guard Award, follow the link below.

Thank your guard or share your story here!

Get Involved in your Community!

All of our Adult Crossing Guards are required to provide us with a clean Police Record Check for Vulnerable Sectors and three character references.  All Adult Crossing Guards undergo a thorough Screening Interview to determine their suitability for the position as well. 

The Adult Crossing Guards undergo in-depth classroom training that covers safe crossing practices, proper positioning & techniques, and important safety precautions, as well as Provincially-mandated training such as Bill 168- Violence and Harassment in the Workplace & Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities.  Finally, new Crossing Guards are paired up with experienced Guards in order to shadow them until they are comfortable taking on their intersection on their own. 

Team Leads regularly visit Guards at their locations to perform site inspections, pedestrian counts, and performance evaluations. 

If you are interested in becoming an Adult Crossing Guard please visit Careers page.

The Marie Armstrong Award (formerly known as Ottawa’s Favorite Crossing Guard Award) is presented yearly the Crossing Guard who shows high levels of excellence and dedication to the important role of keeping our community’s children safe. 

The cash prize is generously donated by Marie Armstrong’s family – to honour her memory.  Here is what Marie’s family has to say about her:

“Marie Armstrong, was born in a fishing village known as Avondale, Newfoundland, in 1932. At the age of 18, Marie left for Montreal with her new husband. After a few years in the city, she moved to Dollard des Ormeaux in the West Island.

Marie had 6 children, the youngest of which was 20 years younger than the eldest. When her youngest child, Maria, went to first grade at Ecole Dollard des Ormeaux, she saw a crossing guard for the first time. Thinking it would be great to help out, as she was going back and forth to school with Maria daily, she inquired as to how she might volunteer. After registering at the local police station, Marie began her career as a crossing guard. Under the impression that it was a volunteer position, she failed to pick up paychecks for months! While thrilled by the news, she could not believe that she was actually getting paid for something she felt very happy to do.

Over the next 12 years as a crossing guard, she got to know all of the children and their parents well. She knew who needed a hug and who was at risk. She cared deeply for their little souls and never missed a day for fear that some child might need her. Marie, who was affectionately known as “granny” to her 10 grandchildren, and “GG” to her 4 great-grandchildren, never said an unkind word about anybody in her life and was always looking out for children, whether hers or not. We, as her family, are delighted to honour her memory by lending her name to this award.”  – James Miller (Marie’s Grandson)

As per the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), drivers who encounter a crossing guard, must heed their stop sign and not proceed until all the pedestrians and Crossing Guards have cleared the entire roadway and are safely on the curb. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to $2000 and three (3) demerit points.