Durham Region, ON – The Durham Business Alliance, a working advocacy group composed of all chambers of commerce and boards of trade in the Region of Durham, is pleased to share the news that, following years of advocacy by DBA members and local governments, the pay tolls will be removed from highways 412 and 418, effective April 5th, 2022. Premier Ford announced the change in Whitby at the side of the 412 highway, joined by MPP Lorne Coe and Ministers Bethlenfalvy, Mulroney, and ministers of Finance and Transportation, respectively.
The message from Premier Ford was unambiguous: “April 5th, our government is permanently removing the tolls on highways 412 and 418. They’re gone. They’re done.”
The decision to convert the Region’s highest capacity north/south express routes to a toll-free highway promises to be an enabling one for the Region’s business community.
“This is a welcome announcement that every member of DBA has long advocated for,” said Sheila Hall, Executive Director of the Clarington Board of Trade. Natalie Prychitko, CEO of the Whitby Chamber of Commerce, echoed Hall’s statement, adding, ”This is a tremendous announcement for the business community of our Region. We appreciate our business volunteers that supported our advocacy efforts to encourage this decision.” Mary Slavik,
Interim ED of the Ajax/Pickering Board of trade added, “Today’s announcement shows great support for the ongoing growth and expansion of business in Durham Region”.
Jason King, CEO of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, reflected, “Time is our main resource that is absolutely non-renewable,” he said. “So many members of our business community will benefit immensely from the opportunity to add this element of efficiency to their daily operations.”
