Montreal and the GTA aim to clean up towing industry

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Toronto and Montreal have both taken steps to clean up a notoriously dangerous industry that preys on consumers while also cannibalizing its own: towing. 

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The release of a scathing report in 2017 by Montreal’s Inspector General found “a territory-splitting agreement and a climate of violence and retaliation” between various towing companies. The Hell’s Angels, the Mafia, and street gangs had carved up various territories, using violence and intimidation to hold power. “ The owner of one company said he had to pay between $500 and $700 per week in protection money to a member of the Hell’s Angels if he wanted to continue operating without competition in his borough,” according to a CBC report .

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In Ontario, four tow operators were murdered in two years in the GTA, and dozens of cases of arson saw tow trucks and a collision reporting centre go up in flames. Other drivers have been shot, or shot at. In 2019 , “police conducted a series of raids under the name Project Kraken, charging more than 70 people — including seven drivers — with offenses ranging from firearms possession to conspiracy to commit murder.”

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As unscrupulous tow operators monitor police channels and race to crash scenes, it’s unwitting consumers, often shaken at the roadside, who get ripped off or threatened. Perhaps most disturbing in Ontario was the arrest earlier this year of four OPP officers in connection with the alleged preferential treatment of some tow operators. Charges ranged from breach of trust to secret commissions. One of the cops was also charged with obtaining sexual services for consideration. None of this is a good look when you can’t tell the good guys from the bad ones.

“ Starting July 1, Montreal police will introduce 10 “exclusive towing areas” on the island of Montreal, and drivers will be forced to use tow services that correspond to those areas at a fixed rate.” If your car breaks down, is involved in a collision, or is blocking traffic or a danger to other drivers in these main thoroughfares, police — or you — will be calling for a tow. Rates have been preset to eradicate the free-for-all of unregulated operators showing up on scene. If you are in one of the towing areas, it is now tow-and-go. No holding up traffic: if you’re in a parking lot or quieter side street and broken down, you can call whomever you like. It also does not impact the highways that cross the island of Montreal, which are already covered by dialling *4141 to contact a regulated towing service.

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Ontario is launching a 2-year pilot project (with the possibility of adding a year) in the fall that leans into the same thinking. There will be four restricted tow zones on the 400 series highways:

Zone 1: Highway 401 from Highway 400 east to Morningside Avenue;

Zone 2: Highway 401 from Highway 400 west to Regional Road 25;

Zone 3: Highway 400 from Highway 401 to Highway 9;

Zone 4: QEW from Highway 427 to Brant Street.

One towing company will have the contract for each zone. “This means no other towing company can solicit towing of vehicles within a restricted tow zone. In a restricted tow zone, you must use the authorized tow company.” If you have an emergency, you call 911. If you have a non-emergency tow (no injuries, not in a live lane of traffic) you call 511 and follow the directions. Tow operators and storage facilities will also now require provincial certification which is currently under development.

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Teresa Di Felice with the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) says that organization has been working in conjunction with governments on the development of these programs. If you’re a CAA (or other roadside assistance) member, there could be an opportunity for you to contact them as your preferred tow, unless police make the call that the vehicle has to be moved immediately due to a collision or breakdown in a live lane. In the event that you’re on the hook of the contracted tow that isn’t your CAA call, you can be reimbursed for the charge you incur. Read the terms and conditions of your policy.

The CAA notes that calls to that organization are triaged on importance, not who called first. Highway calls remain their highest priority, along with children or animals left in cars. 

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Regarding the changes in Montreal, Nicolas Ryan with CAA-Quebec says, “we’ll gladly assist our members if they are in this situation, by directing them to the good resource. They can still phone us If they feel this is their best option; our teams will always provide the right info at the right time, by asking the right questions. This is similar to what already exists for towing services when on Quebec highways (*4141).”

A report in The Guardian last year points out the lack of regulations in the towing industry has let it devolve into a Wild West of lawlessness. “ Some repair garages will pay tow truck drivers a “finder’s fee” for damaged vehicles, making “chasing” an incredibly lucrative field.” Both the jurisdictions — Montreal and the GTA — aim to curb the mentality, though it’s not without its foes. Di Felice says there are tow operators who are not happy with the changes, and after a protest at Queen’s Park failed to gain much traction, they took it to the road in June. Hundreds of operators jammed the QEW from Mississauga through to Burlington, saying the proposed changes will limit their ability to work. They are also not happy about one of the new regulations: that they must itemize the charges on a bill so a customer knows what they’re paying for.

That’s too big of an ask?