NDP’s Jennifer French introduces a bill to end unfair tolls on Highway 412

Oshawa MPP Jennifer French tabled a bill Tuesday to scrap the unfair tolls on Highway 412 and the proposed Highway 418 in the Durham region.

“Residents of Oshawa, Whitby and the Durham region have been calling on the government to remove the unfair tolls from Highway 412,” said French. "Families in our communities shouldn't be charged extra to drive to work, school or home on community roads."

French – who is also the NDP's critic for Infrastructure, Transportation and Highways – hosted a community traffic town hall where calls to address unfair tolls on the 412 and proposed Highway 418 were repeated, echoing calls from municipal governments in the area. Since before the election, French has been fighting to remove the tolls, aligned with local ‘Free the 412’ grassroots movement.

She argued that it's time for Ontario to return community roads to the communities they serve.

“The 412 often sits empty while our neighbours sit in traffic. We can relieve congestion, make life more affordable, and return the 412 to the community," said French. "I'm going to fight for a free 412 until the job is done."

French’s bill amends existing legislation and both removes tolls from Highway 412, and prevents future tolls on Highway 418.