Changes Ahead: Ontario’s towing pilot project kicks off Dec. 13
Toronto, Ontario — Ontario will implement a series of restricted towing zones along Highways 401, 400, 409 and 427 in an effort to “clear collisions or vehicle breakdowns on highways more safely and quickly,” according to the provincial government. First announced in March 2021, the new Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) pilot program will only […]
Pump the Breaks: CBRM tow truck bylaw on hold over fraud concerns
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia – The insurance industry, tow truck operators and police in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, are blaming each other in a fight surrounding a proposed bylaw–which would enforce regulations in the industry that operators say isn’t fair. This proposed bylaw would include an annual fee, driver accreditation and a flat rate that […]
Towing Turmoil: Cape Breton tow truck operators protest proposed bylaw
Sydney, Nova Scotia — Horns and shouts could be heard in Sydney, Nova Scotia on Tuesday night- but it wasn’t a parade or a celebration, it was over a dozen tow truck operators – and they weren’t picking up cars. Tow truck operators were protesting the proposed by-law they say would make them pay more […]
What’s Your Emergency: Motorists in Montreal must call 911 for a tow
Montreal, Quebec — 911 dispatchers in Montreal are about to get a lot busier. Montreal Police announced on Monday that motorists who’s vehicles are blocking traffic on Montreal Island streets, due to mechanical issues or a collision, must call 911 to contact a tow truck. The policy follows a 2017 city inspector general’s report on […]
Back for Seconds: Toronto police officer re-arrested as part of towing corruption investigation
Toronto, Ontario – A Toronto cop is being booked with even more charges, following a development in the ongoing Project Overhaul; an investigation into corruption in the towing industry launched by the Toronto Police Service in August 2019. Const. Ronald Joseph of the Toronto Police Service is facing eight new charges, including forgery, four counts […]
Frozen Tows: Alberta tow driver’s tips for waiting out winter collisions
Lacombe, Alberta – A scary situation at the shoulder of a highway in Alberta has prompted Dave Kidd from Assured Towing to remind driver’s to stay inside their vehicles, should they break down far from home in the winter. “I was between Lacombe and Bentley on the Highway. There was a vehicle broken down and […]
Tow the Guidelines: IBC praises OPP for new set of towing guidelines for Ontario
Toronto, Ontario – Towing services in Ontario are under a new set of guidelines from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in the aim to provide clearer direction to tow operators, according to a press release from Friday. These new guidelines come after the Ontario government announced it would be establishing a task force to improve […]
Constable Corruption: OPP charge three officers with corruption to towing industry
Toronto, Ontario — The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) charged three of their own veteran officers and suspended four others over allegations of corruption related to the province’s tow truck industry. They have also charged Sutheshkumar Sithambarpillay, owner of Steve’s Towing. All three are charged with secret commissions and breach of trust, while Bridle faces an […]
Finding solutions to tow truck driver fatalities
By Lindsey Cooke Toronto, Ontario — November 27, 2018 — The recent death of a tow truck driver, from Castlegar, British Columbia has brought up the issue of road safety for the industry. For the past 10 years in the province, there has been two deaths and over 15 serious injuries from vehicles hitting tow […]
New regs in Ontario for towing and storage now in effect
Toronto, Ontario — July 4, 2016 — New rules are now in effect if you repair, tow or store vehicles in Ontario. The new regulations under the Repair and Storage Liens Act (RSLA) officially took effect on July 1, 2016. Further regulations under RSLA will come into force starting January 1, 2017. The new RSLA […]
