Toronto, Ontario — Four sections of highways in the GTA will become restricted tow zones that allow only a single company to operate within those areas, according to new towing industry rules announced by the Ontario government Tuesday.
The pilot project will run for two years initially, with the potential for one-year extensions after that time. Procurement is slotted to begin this spring and begin this summer.
Additional tow companies will only be allowed to operate within these zones under the permission of provincial police or the government.
Ontario Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney said the new rules aim to cut down on bad-apple industry practices like accident chasing.
She also said the government is drafting new legislation to further regulate the sector—including the possibility of licensing tow truck drivers. The government did not provide a timeline.
Since last summer, at least 30 people have been charged in an investigation led by York Regional Police into the violence and corruption in the towing industry. Separate tow industry investigations have also resulted in charges against eight police officers, while a number of others have been suspended from duty.
“I came to Toronto in 1973 as an apprentice body tech,” Terry Bradimore, VP of operations for CK Collision Centres. “I remember the big conversations at that time were about the towing industry, inflated towing rates, commissions paid, storage charges, vehicles held hostage until the charges were paid… and most of the time it had to be paid in cash.
The new restricted towing zones will be:
- Restricted Tow Zone 1: Highway 401 from Highway 400 E. to Morningside Ave.
- Restricted Tow Zone 2: Highway 401 from Highway 400 W. to Regional Road 25; Highway 427 from QEW to Highway 409; Highway 409 from Highway 427 to Highway 401
- Restricted Tow Zone 3: Highway 400 from Highway 401 to Highway 9
- Restricted Tow Zone 4: QEW from Highway 427 to Brant Street
