December 1st, 2021

MPP French demands Ford listen to Durham region and remove tolls on highways 412, 418

QUEEN’S PARK – Oshawa NDP MPP Jennifer French demanded that Doug Ford listen to Durham Region’s mayors who wrote to him to remove the unfair tolls on highways 412 and 418.

“During the last election, the Ford Conservatives promised to make it a priority to remove the tolls on highways 412 and 418 but despite having my bill in their hands for over three years to do just that, they have refused,” said French.

“In a letter to Doug Ford, John Henry, the Chair of Durham Region, and all of the region’s mayors are calling on this premier and this government to remove the tolls on highways 412 and 418.”

French read an excerpt from the letter to the legislature:

"Highways 412 and 418 in Durham Region are the only tolled north-south highways in Ontario. We have been consistent, and vocal, in our advocacy for fair and equitable application of tolls across the GTHA. All Ontarians, including Durham Region residents, contribute to the construction and maintenance of these highways. However, it's only in Durham that residents pay to use the connecting links to the 407. We need provincial leadership and immediate action to remove tolls on the 412 and 418 to create equity and support economic recovery across the GTHA."

“How would the minister like to justify her Durham-only tolling policy to the regional Chair, and to the mayors of Ajax, Brock, Clarington, Oshawa, Pickering, Scugog, Uxbridge and Whitby - and to all of their residents?”

In their response, the Ford government again refused to remove the tolls.