MPP French: Ford's Conservatives are the only roadblock on effective 407 policy

MPP Jennifer French, ONDP Critic for Infrastructure, Transportation & Highways called out the government’s inaction on Highway 407 as the region faces some of the worst traffic worldwide.

“People deserve a government that gets them where they need to go, safely and efficiently,” said French. “While people are stuck in gridlock across the GTA, the 407 sits half-empty – and this Premier isn’t doing anything about it.”

The Ford government claimed to be “in conversation” to get rid of these tolls, but Global News reports that the operators of the highway had “not engaged in any discussions regarding a potential sale.”

“We’ve put forward solutions that could make life easier for drivers,” added French. “They could subsidize tolls for truck drivers, or take tolls off the 407 East altogether – but the government has failed to take any action.”

QUICK FACTS:

• MPP French tabled legislation to permanently end tolling on Highways 412 and 418 in 2018. After years of community outcry, the government ultimately removed the tolls in 2022.
• An FOI request filed by the Ontario NDP for documents relating to reacquisition of the 407 revealed that no such records exist.
• The provincially-owned 407 East through Durham Region remains the only public toll highway in Ontario