This is an example of why we have been doing our best to bring some accountability to how this highway operates. Warren D.... Please join us at Stop the 407 ETR's Abuse of Power. We have spoken to politicians from all 3 major parties and several lawyers. There is a $25 million dollar lawsuit against the 407 at the moment for people that have claimed bankruptcy and the 407 tells MTO that the people still owe them money when they don't. The amount of what the 407 says is "noncollectable" is only about $12 million. Why they don't follow section 13 (2) of the act and prove lawful tolls on amounts they try to claim years after the fact is beyond me. Hopefully we find a lawyer soon that will take them to task for those of us that are victims of invoice suppression. In the meantime, PM me through our Facebook group and I will give you some ideas.

I am concerned with the billing practices of a company that sends bills to its customers based on incomplete information. In 2004 I paid the 407 ETR over $2000.00 to settle two outstanding accounts when I was informed; that when I replaced a license plate in 1999, this action initiated a secondary account with the 407 ETR and updating my information with the MTO does not mean it is updated with the 407ETR.

Jump ahead eight years later; I have received a plate denial notification in the mail that goes back once again to the 2004 confusion. I went to the 407 offices on steeles with proof of payment in hand and after speaking with a cashier I was asked to wait, and speak to someone from the office of the president. 45 minutes later; with proof of my payment and contact information I found after a few days of tearing the home office apart, I was informed that the first of the 'original accounts' has been deleted, the employee is no longer working for the 407 and the secondary account was never closed because no payment was made ... the only information she had on the 'active account' was to 'See so-and-so" but he is no longer employed with the company. As we began to come full circle in our conversation; Catherine from the 'office of the president' through a $900 dollar figure out on the table, which I declined, as I again provided her with my receipt of payment and a letter from my bank confirming the payment was made to the 407ETR. She then spoke to someone on the phone and after nearly three hours at the office of the 407ETR (most of it spent waiting) I was sent packing with contact information for the 407 Ombudsman, who later after speaking with him; and informing me that his hands are tied, sent me a one page letter quoting a traffic act and an amount that is now in excess of the two original accounts back in 2004 combined. I don't know who to speak to, I don't know what to do, I don't have $5000.00 to give to the 407ETR and to make matters worse, I am a single parent who needs the use of her car to take one of her children to his weekly and monthly medical appointments, and my own employment. This is an emergency can someone please help me?!

I see you are intent for a response. What kind of response are you expecting? That all of a sudden I am gonna say that was a great deal? Dream on. We, the people in the Province of Ontario, are being royally screwed! I am some how supposed to see some good in this deal when I still have complaints rolling into my website of this toll highway abusing their power. Pffft...

http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/1484

I can understand how some may interpret what happened with the court decision in 2006, however, it's my goal to educate people that the government did not lose that court case. They decided to settle for a reason that is unknown to me. I believe we can do something about this.

Just thought I would update our efforts here. http://407etr-abuseofpower.com/law-suit-re407-etr-bankruptcy/ If you have tried to claim bankruptcy and the 407 ETR has kept you in Plate Denial please contact the lawfirm in our notice.

We have been working hard at holding the 407 ETR accountable to us, the people. This is only the beginning.

Thanks Tammy. I'll contact you through your website.

Hi! I just got an email nudging me about this forum. I guess I posted here a while ago. I completely understand your frustration. We are in the process of trying to put together a lawsuit as we speak. Also, we are gathering together associations to lend voice for the government to revisit what they started in 2004 and stopped half way with. If you want more information you can contact me through our website Stop the 407 ETR's Abuse of Power or our facebook page with the same name.

And the outrageous list of money grabbing goes on and on. I "purchased" a transponder when the highway first opened. This was touted as a one-time payment. It made sense when I was commuting daily to Bloor and Avenue Road from near Port Perry.

Things change, though. The need for commuting ended. Meanwhile, suddenly I was paying rent on a transponder I purchased outright in the first place. The amount was small, so I paid it for a while.

One wild December, a fifty foot fir tree fell on my car. The passenger area was crushed, the transponder was on the floor in a million little pieces and the vehicle was a total write-off. It was towed and no doubt crushed into a near little cube somewhere.

Wanted to cancel my account and called the 407. Talked to a really ignorant and hostile woman there. No, my account could not be cancelled unless I returned the transponder I bought, prioity post, too, she said. Can't do; it's smashed and gone, says I. Tough, says she, no transponder, no cancellation. Can I talk to a supervisor about this? No, she said, and hung up.

Now I'm paying rent on a purchased transponder that I don't have for a service I don't use. There seems to be no recourse at all. Does anyone know of an ombudsman, force of nature, military unit that can resolve this stupid issue? Now I'm being dunned for $50 in rent and threatened with no plates. Who's in charge here? Who gave them this kind of power? It might be different if the Province still owned the road. Well, maybe not.

Canadian Money Links

Now that you mention it, did you know that the Province is eligble for "Congestion Relief" payments from the 407 ETR? Ferrovial put 10% up for sale in March because it had to, our CPP bought it for 24% more the asking price. Things don't make fiscal sense. Something's up.

Regardless of broken spirits, it doesn't mean that MTO can turn a blind eye when there is an implied obligation.