The Ontario government plans to ban tolls on provincial highways as part of its wider plan to save costs for drivers.
If the legislation is passed, the ban would apply to the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway once uploaded to the province, as well as the province’s 400-series of highways.
Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria said the proposed legislation is part of a package of cost saving measures for Ontario drivers, which includes eliminating licence plate sticker fees, together with cuts to the gas tax.
To keep costs down even further the province is also proposing to make the current freeze on driver’s licence and Ontario Photo Card fees permanent, which would save drivers an estimated $66 million over the next five years, according to an Ontario press release.
The existing freeze has saved applicants $22 million since 2019, according to government figures.
The government also said it is planning to save drivers time by automating the licence plate renewal process starting this summer. Until it begins, drivers are still required to renew their licence manually at no cost.
The automated renewal process will only be available to drivers with no outstanding tickets or traffic violations.
These measures are part of the Get It Done Act which, if passed, will streamline approvals for major infrastructure projects and housing, keep costs down for people and businesses, and support economic growth for long-term prosperity, according to the provincial government.
Furthermore, the toll ban would prevent the Ontario government from introducing new tolls on provincial highways and potentially require public consultation before new tolls can be issued.
Over the next ten years, Ontario will invest upwards of $70 billion in public transit in the province, which includes construction of the Ontario Line and the Eglinton Crosstown West extension. In addition, the province is planning to proceed with the construction of Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass.
