Towing Toils: New provincial tow regulations limiting training and service capacity, say Northern Ontario operators
Ottawa, Ontario — Tow operators in Northern Ontario have reported complications with the new industry requirements imposed on July 21, 2024, that require service testing not readily available in the region. Some tow operators in Northern Ontario originally reported to CBC News that they have been struggling to hire new drivers to assist with roadside […]
A Memorial Meeting: Professional Towing Association of Ontario to hold second memorial scholarship procession on September 14
Kitchener, Ontario — In recognition and tribute to all those tow operators injured or lost their lives in the line of duty, the Professional Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO) is holding its second memorial scholarship procession on September 14, 2024, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., before the PTAO Tow Show opens for the day. […]
Saved by the Stapleys: Collision Repair mag publisher’s stuck backhoe saved by Scott Stapley
Cambellford, Ontario — There are heroes among the Collision Repair mag readership, as a Friday morning saga came to prove. When Publisher of Collision Repair magazine Darryl Simmons found his backhoe stuck again, it was Scott Stapley of Stapley’s Towing to the rescue. Darryl Simmons’ backhoe was down in the dirt. After the mission was complete, […]
A Sticky Situation: Saskatchewan using ‘barnacles’ on vehicles with parking violations
Regina, Saskatchewan — Vehicles in Regina have begun receiving ‘barnacles’ on their windshields in place of wheel locks or boots for parking violations. Not an under-the-sea-feature, but a yellow-windshield-covering-device, the barnacle ensures that drivers pay any outstanding driving fines by acting as a driving deterrent and blocking the windshield until a driver has paid. The […]
New Year, New Rules: Ont. tow and storage operators must be certified, ascribe to new Code of Conduct, according to new provincial towing legislations
Toronto, Ontario —New towing legislation in Ontario will require all tow and storage operators be certified by the province and possess identification cards to prove such, among other changes enacted Jan. 1 by the Ont. government. Under the new legislation, tow and storage operators must be certified by the province and have an identification card […]
Life-saving Lights: Tow operators approved to use blue lights for next five years on Alberta highways
Edmonton, Alberta — Based on positive feedback from Alberta’s towing industry, the province announced Monday that it will be extending its trial to allow snowplows, tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles to use flashing blue lights on Alberta highways. For the next five years, highway workers in Alberta will be permitted to use flashing blue […]
Common Goals: ELC Solutions v-p speaks on co-operation between repairers, tow truck operators at CCIF Toronto
Toronto, Ontario — Tough times can sometimes raise tensions among the various partners in the collision industry, but Lane Bailey, vice president of ELC Solutions and former insurance industry investigator, urged a CCIF Toronto audience audience on Friday not to paint all towers with the same brush when negotiating. Bailey’s talk was entitled “Navigating the […]
Forest City Feuds: Violent collision chasing, intimidation expands to London’s tow market
London, Ontario — If you thought the violence and corruption present in Ontario’s towing industry was exclusive to the larger city centres of Toronto and Ottawa, think again, as tow operators in London, Ont. have been speaking out about a rise in targeted attacks and intimidation in the area. The CBC recently spoke with Fadi […]
Special Favours: Two GTA OPP officers arrested for special treatment to certain tow operators
Toronto, Ontario — Details from an internal investigation from the Ontario Provincial Police’s (OPP) Professional Standards Unit have uncovered that two Mississauga, Ont.-based police officers, Sgt. Terrence Reefer and Const. Roberto Visconti, were arrested for allegedly giving preferential treatment to certain tow truck operators within the GTA. The two officers, both from the OPP’s Mississauga […]
Professional Standards: PTAO pushing standardized towing regulations in Ontario
Thessalon, Ontario — The Provincial Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO) has confirmed details of an accreditation program for towers and tow operators in Ontario, the province’s first standardized towing regulation. Earlier this year, the PTAO board agreed to establish an accreditation program for towers and tow operators across Ontario. A series of recommendations were made […]
