Toronto, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Ontario Premier Doug Ford to reject Toronto Mayor John Tory’s proposal to impose road tolls on the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway.

“Tory’s proposal is completely out of touch with the challenges facing Torontonians,” said Ontario CTF Director Jay Goldberg. “Families are dealing with food bills that are $1,000 higher this year than last year. The last thing Torontonians need is for Tory to pummel them with higher taxes.”

Under present laws, Queen’s Park would have to approve any proposal from Toronto City Council to impose tolls on highways. The Ford government removed tolls on Highway 412 and 418 in the Durham region earlier this year.

“With rampant inflation and soaring gas prices, the last thing Toronto taxpayers need is to have to pay tolls just to get to work or to get their kids to school,” said Goldberg. “The Ford government should categorically reject Tory’s proposal.”

Tory first proposed imposing road tolls on Toronto highways in 2016. At the time, he proposed imposing a $2 toll on drivers using the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway. Former premier Kathleen Wynne rejected Tory’s original toll proposal.