WHITBY, Ontario — The Ontario government is restoring fairness and cutting costs for drivers and businesses in Durham Region by permanently removing tolls on Highways 412 and 418, effective April 5, 2022.
“We have heard the people of Durham loud and clear and we agree that the tolls imposed on Highways 412 and 418 by the previous government are wrong and unfair,” said Doug Ford, premier of Ontario. “That’s why we are removing the tolls on these Highways so that people and businesses have more travel options and hard-earned money in their pockets.”
Highways 412 and 418 are currently the only tolled north-south highways in Ontario. Removing tolls will provide more travel options for local residents, relieve gridlock on local roads across Durham region, and help improve economic competitiveness for local businesses.
“The previous government unfairly targeted drivers and businesses in Durham region by imposing tolls on Highway 412 and 418, leaving them underutilized while local streets became increasingly gridlocked,” said Caroline Mulroney, minister of transportation. “As we move forward with new highways, our government has been clear that we will not repeat the mistakes of the past and impose these types of cost burdens on Ontarians.”
“When the previous government imposed these unjust road tolls, they placed a financial burden on drivers and families in Durham Region,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge. “By delivering on our commitment to remove these tolls, our government is fighting gridlock while supporting families.”
“I have long advocated for the removal of tolls from Highway 412 and 418, and today we are taking action to resolve this unfair decision made by the previous government,” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby. “The removal of tolls shows this government’s steadfast commitment to helping Durham region continue to grow and thrive.”
As part of its plan to build Ontario, the province has allocated approximately $2.6 billion in funding for 2021–22 in support of the multi-year Ontario Highways Program, which features more than 570 expansion and rehabilitation projects underway or planned