Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Ministry of Government and Consumer Services
Ontario Launches Consultation to Strengthen Consumer Protection for Drivers
Province Inviting Feedback on Towing and Vehicle Storage Industries
The province is inviting Ontarians to share their experiences with tow trucks and vehicle storage lots to help drivers make informed decisions and increase consumer protections. The government is seeking feedback from drivers on issues including:
- Payment options available when you need a tow truck
- Information towing and vehicle storage businesses should include on invoices
- Notification of where a vehicle will be taken for storage
- Transparency regarding prices and other information, including whether a tow truck business should tell consumers when they are getting a financial reward or incentive for towing a vehicle to a particular storage or repair shop
Consumers are invited to share their thoughts via an online survey at Ontario.ca/towingsurvey.
These public consultations will help inform important work underway on proposed regulations to be made under the Consumer Protection Act, and the Repair and Storage Liens Act. The survey also will complement discussions the government is currently having with the tow and storage sectors.
Protecting Ontario consumers is part of the government's economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
Quick Facts:
- There are approximately 1,200 tow truck businesses, with 3,000 drivers in Ontario.
- Sixteen of over 400 municipalities currently have by-laws that license towing businesses.
- A vehicle storage facility is a location (building, yard, lot) used to hold or store vehicles after they have been towed (e.g. from the scene of an accident, vehicle malfunction or other reason).
- The new rules are part of Bill 15, the Fighting Fraud and Reducing Automobile Insurance Rates Act.
- Learn more about the consultation and how to share feedback. Check the Regulatory Registry for more information.
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"Our government is working hard to protect stranded motorists, increase road safety, and reduce auto insurance fraud. Consumers in need of a tow or roadside assistance in Ontario should have confidence that the tow truck service helping them is reputable, will do the work safely, and will deal with them in an honest and fair way. We encourage everyone to participate in this survey, so we can better understand the needs of consumers."
— David Orazietti, Minister of Government and Consumer Services
Media Contacts:
Andrew Donnachie
Minister’s Office
416-326-0670
Anne-Marie Flanagan
Communications Branch
416-314-6626
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