Heidi Francis has been the Assistant Deputy Minister for Road User Safety Division (RUS) at the Ministry of Transportation since June 2014.  With a licensed driver population of 9.7 million, and 12.1 million vehicles registered in Ontario, RUS’ key objective is to reduce death and injury on our roads by developing and evaluating safety standards, policies, programs and regulations that promote road user safety.  RUS plays a central role in Ontario’s distinction as one of the safest road jurisdictions in all of North America by working with a host of external partners to improve road safety and mobility through the promotion and regulation of responsible driving behaviour.

Heidi sits on a number of committees and boards as an active member some of which include the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (Canada), an Assistant Deputy Minister Digital Transformational Steering Committee (Ontario), the St. John Ambulance Board (York Region), and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (U.S.A).  Prior to her current position, Heidi was the Director of the Safety Policy and Education Branch within MTO. In that capacity she was part of a core team for an IPAC partnership between the Uganda and Ontario Public Services.  Heidi spent much of her work life in law, with her last legal position in the government as a Portfolio Director within the Ministry of the Attorney General, managing a cluster of legal branches within the capital and finance ministries.   Earlier in her career she held the position of General Counsel within 407 ETR Concession Company Limited which owns Ontario’s first tolled road.  Heidi received both her Law degree and her Master’s degree in Corporate Law from Osgoode Hall Law School.  She is a trained mediator and an instructor in the Business Department at Ryerson University.