Stiles promises she’d axe Hwy. 407 tolls if elected

A sign for Hwy. 407 is seen in this file photo.

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles is promising to open negotiations with the owners of Hwy. 407 to try remove all tolls for drivers if her party is elected in the upcoming provincial election.

“Doug Ford has sat on his hands as tolls on the 407 have gone up, afraid to take on the private corporation that makes millions from people just trying to get to work. I will negotiate on the side of the people, get us out of this bad deal, and make the 407 toll-free,” Stiles said in a statement Monday.

She promised that she would remove tolls for trucks on the highway on Day 1 if elected, thereby easing congestion on Hwy. 401.

Then in her first 100 days in government, she would open negotiations with 407ETR to remove tolls for all vehicles on the 407.

Former premier Mike Harris sold off the toll highway to a private consortium under a 99-year lease back in 1999 in order to balance the province’s books. Tolls have steadily increased since then.

Newer portions of the highway are not tolled and PC Leader Doug Ford has said he doesn’t believe in tolls.

However there have been calls to somehow make better use of the highway, despite the lease, in order to relieve congestion in the gridlocked GTA.

Back in October Ford said his government was considering buying back the highway. He also said they were exploring the possibility of building a tunnel under Hwy. 401 to relieve congestion.

Congestion has been estimated to cost the GTA around $50 billion a year.

In a statement, 407ETR, which operates the highway, said they are not engaged in any discussions around selling off the highway, but are open to proposals around relieving congestion.

“Though 407 ETR has not been engaged in any discussions about a buyback with government or any other provincial party, we continue to have regular meetings with elected government officials to explore opportunities to alleviate congestion across the region and provide a fast, safe and reliable commute,” the company said. “We look forward to continuing to fulfill our mandate and delivering value to Ontario for decades to come.

“Our focus remains on maintaining a world-class highway system that benefits all road users and we look forward to continuing to work productively with our government partners to continue this work.”