Ontario Ford Government Removes Highway 407 East Tolls, Makes Gas Tax Cut Permanent

The Ontario government, led by Premier Doug Ford, is set to make permanent the previously temporary cuts to the provincial gas and fuel tax rates, maintaining them at nine cents per litre, as part of the 2025 Budget. Additionally, legislation is being introduced to remove tolls from the provincially owned section of Highway 407 East, which runs from Brock Road in Pickering to Highway 35/115 in Clarington, effective June 1, 2025. These measures aim to provide ongoing financial relief to families and businesses facing rising costs and economic uncertainty, with estimated savings of about $115 per household annually and up to $7,200 annually for daily commuters using the toll-free section. While the toll removal applies only to the provincially owned portion, the majority of Highway 407, which is privately operated, will continue to have tolls. The government emphasizes that these actions are part of broader efforts to ease cost-of-living pressures, reduce congestion, and support economic growth in Ontario. Local officials have welcomed the plan, highlighting its potential benefits for residents and businesses in the Durham Region and beyond.