Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles Vows to Make Highway 407 Toll-Free if Elected

“As your next Premier, I will make the 407 toll-free, put money back in your pockets, and get you home to your loved ones faster.”

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Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles vowed to eliminate tolls on Highway 407 if her party forms the next provincial government in an announcement today in Brampton. Flanked by Brampton NDP candidates Martin Singh (Brampton East), Ruby Zaman (Brampton North), and Sukhamrit Singh (Brampton Centre), Stiles positioned the pledge as a cornerstone of her campaign to support hardworking families and tackle GTA congestion.

“Drivers here in Brampton and across the GTA are stuck paying the highest tolls in North America thanks to bad deals made by Conservative governments of the past, and defended by Ford’s Conservatives today,” said Stiles. “As your next Premier, I will make the 407 toll-free, put money back in your pockets, and get you home to your loved ones faster.”

The NDP’s multi-step plan begins with the removal of tolls for trucks on the provincially owned portion of Highway 407 on day one of taking office. This measure is designed to divert heavy vehicles from the congested Highway 401, Canada’s busiest highway. Within the first 100 days, Stiles promises to open negotiations with 407 ETR, the private operators of the highway, to make the entire stretch toll-free for all vehicles.

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“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,” added Stiles. “I will negotiate on the side of the people, get us out of this bad deal, and make the 407 toll-free.”

Highway 407 toll rates have been a source of frustration for GTA residents. Earlier this year, tolls increased by up to 14 cents per kilometre, making the highway prohibitively expensive for many. The 407 ETR faced $1 billion in penalties in 2021 for failing to meet minimum traffic flow agreements, but the Ford government waived these fines instead of enforcing accountability.

This announcement follows the Ontario NDP’s successful advocacy to remove tolls on Highways 412 and 418, implemented in April 2022. Stiles underscored the party’s track record, noting their consistent efforts to ease the financial burden on Ontarians.

While commuters are likely to welcome the prospect of a toll-free Highway 407, critics have highlighted potential challenges in negotiating with the private operators of the highway. Stiles hinted at exploring legislative measures if necessary to ensure public benefit takes precedence over corporate profits.

“As we approach the election, Ontarians have a chance to turn the page on Doug Ford’s bad deals and elect a government that’s truly on their side,” Stiles concluded.

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