WATCH: It’s been a morning of never-ending rush hour in Toronto as hundreds of tow truck drivers descended on Queen’s Park to protest. Peter Kim reports.
TORONTO – Tow truck operators descended on Queen’s Park Tuesday morning to protest the province’s attempt to further regulate their industry.
The drivers are upset about the province’s new bill passed on Nov. 20, meant to target fraud and lead to the reduction of automobile insurance rates.
But the operators say oppose the part of the legislation that limits the number of hours they can work each day. Aris Marinos, a tow-truck driver and volunteer with the North American Auto Accident Picture which organized the protest said the limitation could increase the response times for a two across the province.
WATCH: The tow truck drivers explain their problem with Bill 15.
Minister of Government and consumer Services David Orazietti said he hears the drivers “loud and clear” but didn’t say whether the government would be willing to change the limit on worked hours.
“We want to ensure that the regulations are reflective of the challenges they face in the industry,” he said.
The new regulation requires tow truck operators and storage providers to have permission from a consumer or someone acting on their behalf before charging for services.
Credit card payments are now accepted and consumers will be given an itemized invoice listing of all the services provided and the total cost.
WATCH: Thousands of tow truck drivers descended on Queen’s Park Tuesday morning – hear why they’re angry with the Liberal government
Tow truck drivers say the cost of implementing these measures will ultimately be passed on to the consumer.
But Marinos said one of the drivers’ primary concerns was the government’s apparent lack of consultation with the industry. Marinos said he hopes the industry will be consulted on how to best implement the new legislation.
“We understand the regulations have not been written up, so we would like to be present on the regulations,” he said.
Orazietti said two truck drivers will be included in consultations beginning in the new year.
The legislation, which aims to reduce car premiums by 15 per cent by August 2015, also puts tow trucks under the authority of Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.
As a result, drivers will have their work hours restricted and industry says this will severely cut down on how much operators earn and lengthen wait times for consumers.
Close to 1,500 drivers were scheduled to surround the Ontario legislature at 9 a.m. with vehicles coming in from three different locations: Bovaird Drive and Highway 410 in Brampton, Mavis Road and Highway 401 in Mississauga and Steeles Avenue and Highway 404. Less than a 1,000 attended the morning protest however.
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