Ontario has introduced administrative penalties of up to $5,000 per violation for tow operators, tow truck drivers and vehicle storage operators that break provincial towing rules.
The new enforcement system took effect July 1 under Ontario Regulation 184/26 and the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act. The regulation was filed June 19.
The penalties apply to specified requirements under the act and its regulations, including rules governing towing and storage charges, maximum-rate schedules and payment methods. Operators are prohibited from charging for certain unnecessary or administrative services and must accept commonly used credit cards, debit cards, contactless payments and cash.
A penalty of up to $5,000 can be imposed for each contravention. More than one penalty can be imposed when multiple violations arise from the same or related circumstances. Separate orders can also be issued to multiple people when each is found to have committed a violation.
The amount of a penalty can take into account aggravating or mitigating circumstances, any economic benefit gained from the violation and previous convictions or administrative penalties.
The regulation follows Ontario's move to provincewide towing certification in 2024.
“Bad actors have preyed on vulnerable drivers for too long,” Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria (pictured) said when the province announced the certification requirements on June 28, 2024.
Tow operators, tow drivers and vehicle storage operators can appeal a penalty within 30 days of being served. There is no fee to appeal, and a hearing officer can confirm, vary or set aside an order.
Unpaid penalties can also affect an operator's ability to work. The director can refuse to issue or renew a towing or storage certificate, or suspend or cancel an existing certificate, when a required penalty is not paid.
