Ontario towing and storage operators now face administrative penalties up to $5,000 per violation

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

A new regulation under the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021 creates a formal administrative penalty system for towing and vehicle storage businesses. Ministry-appointed officers or the Director can issue penalty orders of up to $5,000 per contravention against tow operators, tow drivers, vehicle storage operators, and others who breach specified provisions of the Act and its related regulations. Recipients have 30 days from service of an order to either pay the penalty or launch a free written appeal before an independent hearing officer; no witnesses are called and decisions are final. Unpaid penalties can result in the Director refusing to issue, renew, suspending, or cancelling a tow operator, tow driver, or vehicle storage certificate. Payment plans are available through the Director, and any penalty that results from the same conduct as a criminal or quasi-criminal charge under the Act must be set aside.

Who this affects: tow operators · tow truck drivers · vehicle storage operators · holders of tow certificates or vehicle storage certificates · motor vehicle owners and operators subject to towing or storage rules