TORONTO — The “modest and gradual” increases in vehicle licence fees are neither modest nor gradual, the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) said today in a statement that is calling on truckers to voice their opposition to the fee hikes.

Heavy commercial vehicle licence fees are going up by 70 percent over a 12-month period, with the first 30 percent kicking in December 1 of this year, followed by another 40 per cent December 1, 2013.

It’s an issue that involves not just OTA members, but all truckers, the association stressed.

“There is nothing we can do about the first 30 per cent increase, but we can do something about the second 40 per cent installment. Ontario’s transportation minister has recently informed the Ontario Trucking Association that he is prepared to consider alternative approaches. This is a good thing but it would help our cause if all MPPs, especially the Minister of Finance, understood the gravity of the situation.”

To that end, the OTA has started an email campaign. To participate in the campaign, click here and click on the ‘Put the Brakes on 70%’ icon. Enter your name, company, address and postal code hit send; and a message will be automatically be sent to your MPP, the finance minister and the minister of transportation, telling them how you feel about the 70 per cent increase and what should be done about it.

There’s also a Facebook page to find out more about how the fee hikes will affect your business.You can also tweet the OTA (@ontruck is their handle) with comments on the licence plate fees and email campaign by including in the message the hashtag: #Stop70percent

“This type of astronomical increase would be difficult to cope with in good times. We don’t need to tell you how much more difficult it will be in the current fragile and uncertain economic environment,” OTA said.