Transport Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria says move will ease financial burden on commuters
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has promised to permanently remove tolls from the provincially-owned section of Highway 407 in Durham Region if his party wins the February 27 election.
Speaking at a campaign stop in Pickering on Wednesday, Ford called tolls on Highway 407 between Brock Road in Pickering and Highway 35/115 in Clarington “absolutely horrible” and claimed the removal would save frequent users up to $7,200 per year.
Ford was joined by Transport Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, and the mayors of Pickering, Oshawa, and Uxbridge, reinforcing his party’s commitment to reducing commuting costs for Ontarians.
Alongside the pledge to eliminate 407 East tolls, Ford also committed to:
- Permanently cutting taxes on gas and diesel
- Banning congestion pricing on provincial and municipal roadways
Sarkaria emphasized the financial relief this move would bring to commuters, stating:
“Durham residents deserve a break. Removing these tolls will put money back into the pockets of families, small businesses, and everyday drivers who rely on this route to get to work, school, and home.”
He added that this initiative builds on the government’s 2022 decision to remove tolls on Highways 412 and 418, which connected Highway 407 to Highway 401.
“We fought to eliminate tolls on Highways 412 and 418, and we are ready to take the next step by removing the burden of Highway 407 tolls once and for all,” Sarkaria said.
Bipartisan Support for Toll Removal
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles has also voiced support for eliminating tolls on the eastern section of Highway 407, signaling potential cross-party alignment on the issue.
Ford on U.S. Trade Tariff Threats
Ford also addressed Canada-U.S. trade tensions, warning that President Donald Trump’s recent 30-day pause on proposed tariffs is only temporary.
“As long as Donald Trump is president, the threat of tariffs will never go away,” Ford stated. “This is a game to him, and he wants to break Canada. He wants to buy Canada … but Canada is not for sale.”
Sarkaria echoed Ford’s concerns, stating:
“Ontario’s economy depends on strong trade relationships, and we will do whatever it takes to protect our workers, industries, and communities from harmful tariffs.”
With trade uncertainty looming, Ford called for national unity to safeguard Canada’s economic interests.
As the election nears, Ford’s transportation policies—particularly his toll elimination promise—could play a significant role in Durham Region’s voter decision-making.