Common Goals: ELC Solutions v-p speaks on co-operation between repairers, tow truck operators at CCIF Toronto
Toronto, Ontario — Tough times can sometimes raise tensions among the various partners in the collision industry, but Lane Bailey, vice president of ELC Solutions and former insurance industry investigator, urged a CCIF Toronto audience audience on Friday not to paint all towers with the same brush when negotiating. Bailey’s talk was entitled “Navigating the […]
Special Favours: Two GTA OPP officers arrested for special treatment to certain tow operators
Toronto, Ontario — Details from an internal investigation from the Ontario Provincial Police’s (OPP) Professional Standards Unit have uncovered that two Mississauga, Ont.-based police officers, Sgt. Terrence Reefer and Const. Roberto Visconti, were arrested for allegedly giving preferential treatment to certain tow truck operators within the GTA. The two officers, both from the OPP’s Mississauga […]
Towing the Line: Ontario police expand requirements for tow operators applying for requested service status
Toronto, Ontario — As the one-year mark on a number of major overhauls to Ontario’s towing industry approaches tow truck operators looking to reapply as OPP-requested services are on the hook to complete their own criminal record checks this time around following a series of updates to the provincial program. Towing and Storage Service Operators […]
Catch and Release: Project Platinum towing corruption case falls through in Newmarket, Ont. court
Newmarket, Ontario — When reports of corruption within the GTA’s towing industry first hit mainstream headlines, local police services looked poised to get to the bottom of it, but as the aftermath of Project Platinum is sorted out in court this week, defence lawyers are baffled by the amount of charges that have been stayed. […]
Hooked Up: Provincial Towing Association of Ontario supports operator licensing plan
Ottawa, Ontario — Advocates for Ontario’s towing industry are voicing their support for the provincial government’s plans to introduce a tow operator licensing framework, in the hopes of securing a more fair and ethical way forward for those employed in the industry. The Provincial Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO) says that it fully endorses the […]
Mach-E Mockery: Improper tow leaves Mach-E driver owing $28,000 in battery repairs
Toronto, Ontario — Hookups can be risky and they often come with a cost far greater than wasted time—we’re talking about towing here, to be clear. An improper hookup can do some pretty significant damage to an EV and, such as in the case of one Mustang Mach-E driver, cost you thousands. A Canadian driver […]
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 […]
Tow Truck Training: Wreckmaster offers new program, highest level of training for tow truck drivers in Canada
Vancouver, B.C. — Tow truck drivers can now receive the highest level of training offered in Canada with the introduction of a new Level 8/9 training course. Tow truck driving is considered one of the most dangerous professions in the world, every year hundreds of operators die on the scene due to the life-threatening situations […]
Tow-tal Control: Ontario government looks to ‘strengthen oversight of towing sector’, introduce certification, standards and more
Toronto, Ontario — The Ontario government is looking to introduce legislation that seeks to “strengthen the province’s oversight of the towing sector,” along with measures to protect vulnerable road users and increase penalties for those engaging in high-risk driving behaviours. Through the newly introduced Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021, the Ontario government […]
Tow the Line: Ontario announces new tow industry rules
Toronto, Ontario — Four sections of highways in the GTA will become restricted tow zones that allow only a single company to operate within those areas, according to new towing industry rules announced by the Ontario government Tuesday. The pilot project will run for two years initially, with the potential for one-year extensions after that […]
