Waymo plans to launch its autonomous ride-hailing service, Waymo One, in Toronto in 2028, marking the company's first expansion into Canada1,2,7. Vehicles will begin appearing on Toronto streets in the coming days, initially driven manually by trained specialists who will build high-definition maps and validate the Waymo Driver software under local conditions3.
The Ontario government has approved Waymo to join a provincial pilot program that regulates autonomous vehicle testing, the same framework California-based Gatik already uses to operate self-driving box trucks for Loblaw in Toronto8.
Fleet partner and Canadian backers
Toronto-based Element Fleet Management, which already supports Waymo's service in San Diego, will handle day-to-day fleet operations including maintenance, charging, and vehicle readiness. "As a Canadian company, we are proud to be expanding our partnership with Waymo," said Laura Dottori-Attanasio, Element Fleet Management's chief executive.
Waymo pointed to two additional Canadian ties: the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is a long-term investor, and Magna International is its manufacturing partner. Together, Waymo and its partners expect to create hundreds of jobs over time in fleet maintenance, validation driving, customer service, and other operations.
Global expansion context
Toronto becomes Waymo's fourth announced market outside the United States, after London, Tokyo, and Singapore. The company already operates commercial robotaxi services in several U.S. cities using an all-electric fleet of Jaguar I-PACE vehicles across 10 major metropolitan markets. Waymo said its vehicles have logged more than 400 million fully autonomous kilometers.
Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana called the Canadian entry "an important milestone in Waymo's global journey".
Local reception
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she is concerned about safety and whether the vehicles will be held to the highest standards. Waymo said it is working with Toronto accessibility and mobility groups, including CNIB, to shape accessibility features and operating practices before commercial service begins. The company did not disclose the size of the initial Toronto fleet, pricing, or the specific neighborhoods where service will first be offered.
ANALYSIS Ontario's lack of a permanent regulatory framework for commercial driverless service, noted by Electrek, means Waymo's 2028 target depends on provincial rule-making that has not yet occurred, adding a policy variable absent from its U.S. rollouts.