Durham police crack down on illegal towing, charges laid in Orono, Ont.
Orono, Ontario – The Durham Region Police Service (DRPS) seized several vehicles from an Orono, Ont. towing company last Wednesday, Oct. 7. Ultimate Towing of Orono, Ontario has been issued a number of charges relating to their illegal towing practices. The execution of a search warrant last Wednesday resulted in the seizure of three vehicles […]
Ontario fleet fighting $19K tow bill after minor incident
Toronto, Ontario — An Ontario fleet has said that its tractor-trailer is being held hostage in Chicago, Illinois. RoadStar Trucking is attempting to recover a tractor and trailer that a Chicago-area towing company impounded on August 12. VIP Towing and Roadside Assistance, the Chicago company in question, is asking for US$18,958 to release RoadStar’s equipment. […]
Towing Town Hall: Conversation between CAA, OPP and PTAO on reforming the industry
Toronto, Ontario — Susan Rosenburg once said “it’s not enough just to punish and to hold people accountable for what’s done. It’s to set down procedures so it can’t happen again.” This quote really pertains to Ontario’s towing industry and this concept was discussed heavily in the Towing Town Hall webinar held on Aug. 12. In […]
Let’s Talk Towing: CAA, OPP and PTAO hosting virtual town hall
Toronto, Ontario — The Ontario division of CAA, along with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Provincial Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO) have announced an upcoming virtual town hall to discuss the current challenges facing the towing industry. The virtual meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. EDT, is […]
Calling for Action: AMA urges Alberta to improve roadside safety for tow truck drivers and other emergency crews
Calgary, Alberta — The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) has said the lack of action regarding roadside safety in Alberta is putting lives at risk. The AMA has been lobbying the provincial government for a long time to make changes regarding safety for emergency crews such as police officers, paramedics, firefighters and tow truck drivers. Alberta is […]
Ontario launches towing task force
Toronto, Ontario — Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced a new provincial task force to oversee the industry after numerous incidents of turf wars and recent charges in the sector. The new task force will work alongside local police departments, the towing industry and municipal partners to develop a regulatory oversight model that is said […]
Recent organized crime charges in industry not reflective of community as a whole, says CCIF
Toronto, Ontario — The Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF) has issued a response to York Regional Police’s allegations that towing companies charged in the recent execution of Project Platinum worked alongside auto repair shops to carry out their fraud schemes. The Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF) says while it is encouraging to see justice served […]
The High Road: PTAO president discusses GTA towing coverage and a path forward
By Gideon Scanlon Toronto, Ontario — The president of the Provincial Towing Association of Ontario has expressed concern about the recent coverage of the arrests of members of the GTA towing community in an interdepartmental operation, Project Platinum. Following the publication of a CBC story, Canadian Towing Professional spoke with PTAO’s president, Mark Graves and […]
BREAKING: Charges filed against GTA towing businesses
Toronto, Ontario — York Regional Police have laid hundreds of charges against 20 members of the towing industry accused of being involved in the GTA’s towing turf war. At least four murders, as well as several shootings and more than 50 torchings of tow trucks have been linked to criminal organizations operating in the GTA’s towing sector. […]
Man dies after found with gunshot wound in tow truck
Toronto, Ontario — The Toronto Police homicide squad is currently investigating the shooting of a 23-year-old Toronto man in Etobicoke, Ont. on Thursday evening. Emergency crews were called to a residential building new Panorama Crt. and Kipling Ave. for the sound of gunshots at 7:42 p.m. When paramedics arrived, the victim was found inside a […]
