Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles has vowed to eliminate tolls on Hwy. 407 if her party wins the upcoming provincial election, positioning the move as a solution to ease congestion and provide financial relief to drivers.
“Doug Ford has sat on his hands as tolls on the 407 have gone up, afraid to take on the private corporation that makes millions from people just trying to get to work. I will negotiate on the side of the people, get us out of this bad deal, and make the 407 toll-free,” Stiles said in a statement Monday.
Stiles pledged to remove tolls for trucks on Day 1 of her government, which she argued would reduce congestion on Hwy. 401. Within the first 100 days of taking office, she promised to open negotiations with 407ETR, the highway’s operator, to remove tolls for all vehicles.
Hwy. 407 was privatized under a 99-year lease in 1999 by then-premier Mike Harris to balance Ontario’s budget. Since then, tolls have steadily risen, sparking criticism about the impact on commuters and businesses. While newer portions of the highway are not tolled, many argue that the high costs of using Hwy. 407 exacerbate congestion on other major routes like Hwy. 401.
Premier Doug Ford has stated that he opposes tolls but has not taken direct action to remove them. In October, Ford mentioned that his government was considering options to ease gridlock, including potentially buying back the highway or constructing a tunnel under Hwy. 401.
Congestion in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is estimated to cost around $50 billion annually, making it a key issue in the provincial election.
In response to Stiles’s proposal, 407ETR issued a statement clarifying that they have not been engaged in discussions about selling the highway but remain open to proposals for reducing congestion.
“Though 407 ETR has not been engaged in any discussions about a buyback with government or any other provincial party, we continue to have regular meetings with elected government officials to explore opportunities to alleviate congestion across the region and provide a fast, safe, and reliable commute,” the company said.
The operator emphasized its commitment to maintaining a “world-class highway system” and said it looks forward to collaborating with government partners to achieve regional transportation goals.
Stiles’s promise to eliminate tolls on Hwy. 407 adds a bold policy proposal to the NDP platform, contrasting with the Ford government’s approach to addressing GTA congestion. With election day approaching, the issue of transportation infrastructure and affordability is expected to remain a major focus for voters across Ontario.