TORONTO, (Nov. 19, 2004) — The Ontario Liberal government is asking truckers and carriers to join its public meetings discussing what it says are ongoing consumer problems with the private 407 ETR highway.

The Ontario Trucking Association says the government has specifically requested that anyone in the trucking industry who has views or experiences with the 407 to share them on the public record. Issues like rates, customer service, the 407’s technology systems, and licence plate denial are all fair game at these sessions, the OTA says.

The meetings appear to be informal affairs — town hall style — rather than formal presentations. The dates and times are as follows:

Toronto: Nov. 22, 6:30 -8:30 p.m., Seneca College Residence and Conference Centre Auditorium, 1760 Finch Avenue East.

Brampton: Nov. 25, 1:00 -3:30 p.m., Century Gardens,Craft Room, 340 Vodden Street East.

Thornhill: Dec. 2, 6:30 -8:30 p.m., Thornhill Community Centre Library, 7755 Bayview Avenue.

Markham: Dec. 8, 6:30 -8:30 p.m., Angus Glen Community Centre
Activity Room 2, 3990 Major Mackenzie Drive East.

Last week, Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar announced that the government will launch an investigation into consumer complaints. The information will play a role in whether the government decides to invoke its right to renegotiate the tolling agreement, something it says it is legally entitled to do every five years.

Takhar says the MTO receives about 50 complaints a month about the toll highway, up from about 30 per month a year ago. Most of the problems, he says, involve incorrect billings and false or incorrect charges.

407 ETR spokesperson Dale Albers says the Liberals are just continuing their ongoing battle with the private toll highway. The government has been on the losing end of its struggle for control of the highway’s operations. This summer an independent arbitrator ruled that the government doesn’t have the authority to block toll increases, as it promised it would do before it was elected.

Albers also said that in fairness, any investigation on 407 ETR should benchmark complaint rates with other utility companies, and even the Ministry of Transportation itself.