shame ontario

Canada's NATIONAL POST newspaper editorialized today in part:

"The McGuinty Government's treatment of this company is shameful. Yes, there is political hay to be made by taking a populist stance against what can easily be portrayed as a big bad private enterprise that would dare to charge drivers for using a road. But doing so is irresponsible, disingenuous and unfair to 407 ETR, whose only sin was to make the mistake of thinking that the province of Ontario could be counted on to honour its legal undertakings. It is not as though Ontarians are forced to drive on the 407. Those who would prefer not to pay the tolls are free to use other routes. Those who do take advantage of the privately run highway option should be compelled to pay, as they must do for any other service.

"It is true that 407 ETR has had some complaints of erroneous billing - mistakes that the company has owned up to and worked hard to correct. But this is hardly justification for the government's obstructionist attitude to its private partner. Meter maids make mistakes too, but that does not stop the province from withholding license plates from people who have unpaid parking tickets.

"If the McGuinty Government really thinks having the 407 under private control is such a scourge for Ontarians, then it should begin negotiations to buy the road back. Until then the 407 ETR deserves to be treated like the lawful business it is." end quote from NATIONAL POST editorial 2005-11-10 TOLLROADSnews 2005-11-10