Item - 2011.LS10.2

Tracking Status

This item was considered by Licensing and Standards Committee on November 14, 2011. The Licensing and Standards Committee postponed consideration of this item. Consult the text of the decision for further information on the deferral.

LS10.2 - Review of Fees for Accident Tows and Tows from Private Property

Decision Type:: ACTION

Status:: Deferred

Wards:: All

Public Notice Given

Committee Decision

The Licensing and Standards Committee deferred this item to the March 29, 2012 meeting, and requested that the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards report on the following:

1. Research on other jurisdictions within Canada that regulate “all other towing” with an all inclusive flat rate, in consultation with the towing industry, the roadside industry, the insurance industry, representatives from the North American Auto Accident Pictures (NAAAP), Towing Division, and Consumer Protection Advocates, and the police service, including the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.

2. In consultation with stakeholders, both accident and non-accident rates in order that the two areas can be communicated to the public, in a transparent and streamlined way, to ensure consistency of service needs – even if staff decide to not blend these rates.

3. The legislation pertaining to the services of the collision reporting centres and, as a result of questions raised at the Licensing and Standards Committee, any recommendations for improvement of their operation; and further that the report also include other models used by other municipalities.

4. Information that can be provided to vehicle owners to explain what their rights are following an accident.

5. The establishment of a protocol with regard to parking or towing cars off private property.

Origin

(October 27, 2011) Report from the Acting Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards

Summary

The purpose of this staff-initiated report is to review the fees charged for accident tows and tows from private property, and to provide recommendations. Other types of tow rates are not covered by the amendments. The last review of fees was conducted in 2006.

Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) is recommending an increase of fees for accident tows and tows from private property. Stakeholder meetings were held with the industry, insurance, and Toronto Police representatives, to discuss issues affecting the tow truck industry.

This report was prepared in consultation with Corporate Finance.

Public notice was given on the City's web site no fewer than five business days prior to the Committee meeting, and in a manner otherwise prescribed in Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 162, Notice, Public.

Background Information

(October 27, 2011) Report from the Acting Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards on Review of Fees for Accident Tows and Tows from Private Property
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/ls/bgrd/backgroundfile-42111.pdf

Communications

(November 14, 2011) Submission from Daniel Sanderson, NAAAP Towing Division (LS.New.LS10.2.1)
(November 14, 2011) E-mail from Carol Paar (LS.New.LS10.2.2)

Speakers

Elliott Silverstein, Government Relations, CAA South Central Ontario
Ric Botelho, ERS Operations Supervisor, CAA South Central Ontario
Suzy Goncalves, Co-up Towing Services
Daniel Sanderson, North American Auto Accident Pictures (NAAAP) Towing Division (Submission Filed)
Frank A. Doyle, Owner, F. A. Doyles Towing
E. Mark Lockwood, Manager, R.B.C. Inc.
John Paul Cruz, President, JP Towing Service and Storage Ltd.
Pete Karageorgos, Manager, Consumer and Industrial Relations, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)

Motions

1 - Motion to Amend Motion moved by Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby (Carried)

Amend the motion by Councillor Palacio to add:

That the Acting Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards report on the legislation pertaining to the services of the collision reporting centres and, as a result of questions raised at the Licensing and Standards Committee, any recommendations for improvement of their operation; and further that the report also include other models used by other municipalities.

2 - Motion to Amend Motion moved by Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker (Carried)

Amend the motion by Councillor Palacio to add under consultations, representatives from the North American Auto Accident Pictures (NAAAP), Towing Division, and Consumer Protection Advocates.

3 - Motion to Amend Motion moved by Councillor Anthony Perruzza (Carried)

That the Acting Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards also include in the report:

1. Information that can be provided to vehicle owners to explain what their rights are following an accident; and

2. The establishment of a protocol with regard to parking or towing cars off private property.

4 - Motion to Defer Item moved by Councillor Cesar Palacio (Amended)

That this report be deferred to the March 29, 2012 Licensing and Standards Committee, and furthermore:

1. That the (Acting) Executive Director of Municipal Licensing and Standards, in consultation with the towing industry, the roadside industry, the insurance industry, the police service, including the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police – be requested to research other jurisdictions within Canada that regulate “all other towing” with an all inclusive flat rate, and report back to the Licensing and Standards Committee.

2. That the (Acting) Executive Director of Municipal Licensing and Standards, in consultation with stakeholders, be requested to report on both accident and non-accident rates in order that the two areas can be communicated to the public, in a transparent and streamlined way, to ensure consistency of service needs – even if staff decide to not blend these rates.