By Mike Davey
Toronto, Ontario — April 5, 2016 — Tow truck operators have gathered at Queen’s Park in Toronto, Ontario. They’re there to protest Bill 15, also known as the Fighting Fraud and Reducing Automobile Insurance Rates Act. Bill 15 contains a number of provisions intended to regulate the towing industry.
The protest started around 9:30 a.m. and is expected to last until 1 p.m. The protestors plan to circle Queen’s Park, taking up three lanes while leaving one lane open for traffic and emergency vehicles.
According to a statement released by protest organizers, the towers intend the protest to raise public awareness about Bill 15, which the statement says will drive an increase in towing prices.
The towing-specific provisions of Bill 15 limit the number of hours a tow truck driver can work to 13 hours per day and a maximum of 60 hours per week. In addition, Bill 15 mandates that operators clearly display rates before accepting payments and requires that they accept payments via credit card. Drivers must also get clear permission from drivers before providing a tow. The majority of the new regulations are scheduled to take effect in 2017.
