DO YOU KNOW YOUR TOW?
Tell the government you support regulating Ontario's towing industry.
the issue
Ontario Drivers are at risk.
When they need a tow, most drivers don't have rules to protect them.
- 76% have been charged unreasonably high fees for a tow
- 77% have waited a long time for a tow to arrive
- Only 20% of drivers feel very protected under the current rules
The provincial government is open to finally regulating the towing industry. Tell them you support this change.
the issue
Ontario Drivers are at risk.
When they need a tow, most drivers don't have rules to protect them.
- 76% have been charged unreasonably high fees for a tow
- 77% have waited a long time for a tow to arrive
- Only 20% of drivers feel very protected under the current rules
The provincial government is open to finally regulating the towing industry. Tell them you support this change.
THE CHALLENGE
Ontario's Towing Industry is not regulated.
Most drivers are not protected by high safety standards and transparent rules. But many don’t know that.
- 50% of Ontario drivers believe that tow trucks in Ontario are licensed.
- Only 5% of (mostly urban) municipalities have towing regulations in place.
- A lack of provincial oversight has led to a municipal patchwork of bylaws, which includes inconsistent towing rates, processes and standards.
- 91% of drivers oppose the idea of anyone driving a tow truck without specific education or training.
Tow trucks are designated as emergency vehicles, but there are no statutory requirements governing the safe operation of these vehicles. We recommend representatives of the towing industry and the provincial ministries of transportation and communications and labour jointly establish guidelines, practices and procedures governing the recovery and towing of vehicles.
THE SOLUTION
Common Sense regulations that protect ontario drivers.
Provincial oversight should provide consistent levels of training for operators, create availbility for this important service on Ontario roads and establish tough penalties for those who do not follow the rules.
The Ontario government is open to these changes, but needs to hear from you. Learn how.
The Future
CAA’s proposed regulatory framework
A province wide standard to protect consumers, enforce the rules and advance the industry.
- Urban and rural considerations
- Majority of tows are breakdowns
- Light, medium and heavy duty towing
Province-wide licensing
Streamline administration & increase industry consistency via province-wide regulation.
Training
Enhance opportunities for consistent training & education to build competency, professionalize the role & attract a new generation of transportation professionals.
Enforcement & collision management
Eliminate predatory tow operators and mandate a fair management of collision scenes.
New Business Models
Realize a competitive advantage & sustainable business practice by updating processes & transforming business models to proactively address new tow standards & regulations.
Criteria & benchmarks
Implement minimum standards with assessment criteria & benchmarks to regularly assess performance and monitor progress.
THE PROGRESS
Ontario Launches Joint Forces Operation Team and Pilot
The government has announced the next step to bring provincial oversight, reform and licensing of Ontario’s towing industry.
THE SOLUTION
Common Sense regulations that protect ontario drivers.
Provincial oversight should provide consistent levels of training for operators, create availbility for this important service on Ontario roads and establish tough penalties for those who do not follow the rules.
The Ontario government is open to these changes, but needs to hear from you. Learn how.
The CAA Survey
Ontario drivers support change.
CAA commissioned a study in April 2020 that shows Ontario drivers are concerned about how tow truck drivers operate and the need for the province to take action.
Watch The Virtual TownHall
On August 12, 2020 CAA hosted a virtual townhall with a panel discussion on regulating and licensing the towing industry in Ontario. Bringing together the Ontario Provincial Police and the Provincial Towing Association, the public was invited to learn about why this is an important issue for road safety, consumer protection and industry safety and standards. Watch the full townhall now.
Add Your Voice
Contact your MPP today
Hearing from drivers like you will help to create needed change.
Ontario drivers like you strongly support the province regulating the towing industry. But your local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) needs to hear that you support needed regulations.
Please take a moment to send a message to your local MPP and ask them to make Ontario roads safer by regulating the towing industry.
Change can finally happen, but we need your voice.
