TORONTO, (Nov. 15, 2004) — The Ontario Liberal government is going after 407 ETR yet again, asking Eglinton-Lawrence MPP Mike Colle to investigate what it claims is a growing number of consumer complaints against the private highway.

Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar announced that Colle will gather input about consumer complaints and 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.

As part of his investigation, Colle will conduct public sessions in various locations in the 407 corridor. Members of the public and businesses who have made complaints will be invited to participate and make submissions.

However, 407 ETR spokesperson Dale Albers says its customer service record has actually improved in recent months. He 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.

The government has been battling the highway group for a year, since it attempted to fulfill a pre-election promise that it would roll back any toll increase to 2 per cent, plus inflation. However, 407 ETR has always maintained the existing contract allows the company to raise rates at its own discretion without government interference.

This summer, an independent arbitrator that the government doesn’t have the authority to block toll increases.