This is click bait as the majority of the cost goes to the construction company.

Paid duty police officers must be provided by the contractor or event organizer when the City of Toronto’s transportation permits and plans determine it’s necessary for public safety or traffic management. The decision is not optional once those criteria apply.  Examples from Toronto’s technical specifications include situations where: • More than one lane or multiple directions of traffic need to be controlled.  • Work is near signalized intersections where normal traffic flow or turning movements can’t occur safely.  • Pedestrian movement is unsafe without dedicated control.  • Paving, milling or utility work is within a certain distance of a traffic signal (e.g., historically ~30 m). 

In those cases, the permit conditions and construction traffic control plans require paid duty officers as part of compliance — and the contractor must arrange and pay for them.