“The Ontario government is making life more affordable and convenient for over 8 million drivers by eliminating licence plate renewal fees and putting money directly back into the pockets of hardworking Ontarians” — Ministry of Transportation.
But as drivers in this province are rapidly finding out, it’s hardly more convenient, and some would argue it’s costing them more than ever. The Ontario government in March eliminated the licence plate renewal fee. Many (including this writer) think it was a blatant vote-buying scheme close to an election which actively depleted government coffers. By making the “no sticker fee” retroactive for two years, this government fired out cheques for $2 billion; going forward, they are forgoing an annual $1 billion from those who drive passenger vehicles, light duty vehicles under 3000 kg, motorcycles, and mopeds.
I still can’t figure out the magic behind the math. I know someone in northern Ontario who received a rebate of $810. They pay $60 annually, and have one car. That’s a hell of a rebate. I know others who to date, have received nothing. The fact it was virtually impossible to calculate how much you might get back tells me it’s because there was no formula. I don’t know who investigates this stuff, but $2 billion is a lot of money to throw around all higglety pigglety.
But now, the fact the scheme was performed on the fly is becoming apparent. Here’s the way it works: you no longer have to pay the annual $120 ($60 in northern Ontario) to renew the sticker on your licence plate. However, you still have to renew the plate, but at the same time they removed the fee, they also removed the notice you’d usually receive in the mail to remind you to re-up your plate.
It’s leading to confusion, and the fact the government didn’t foresee the cluster of incompetence they’ve unleashed is astonishing. In many cases, for decades, drivers have been receiving a notification that it’s time to renew their plate. Sure, it’s just before their birthday, but something you only do once a year has a way of getting nudged out of the picture. In the blaring headlines that Doug Ford was giving away money, they forgot to highlight that you have now been moved off an entrenched program and into a new one.
Especially after two years of a pandemic that has seen sticker renewals punted down the line; especially after two years of lax enforcement as the world tries to upright itself; especially after people are going back two years to tidy up things like renewals that were halted with closed government offices. Apparently, the best way to announce a massive change is to give people as little information — and warning — as possible, then tell law enforcement to start enforcing the change.
Immediately, a driver who ventured into Quebec was snagged with a nearly $500 fine for an expired licence plate; the fines can range from $60 to $1,000 in Ontario. If you’re wondering how police know, rest assured “law enforcement will be instantly aware your licence plate was renewed.” They don’t have to pull you over to know. Remember the old days when the colour of your tag gave you a little breathing room if you’d missed your renewal by your birthdate, but were still in the right month unless they really checked?
https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/driving/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ontario-man-fighting-110-ticket-for-common-license-plate-frame.jpg?w="576&crop=1&strip=all&quality=90 2x" height="1680" loading="lazy" src="https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/driving/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ontario-man-fighting-110-ticket-for-common-license-plate-frame.jpg?w=288&crop=1&strip=all&quality=90" width="2520"/>
My guess? The first few publicized cases will get dropped, the canaries in the coal mine. Remember in the early days of cell phones when you accidentally left your roaming on and found a bill for $1,000, and called the company weeping or yelling or both? Remember how they forgave the early adopters and scrubbed those bills? That doesn’t happen anymore. And your licence plate fines will not be forgiven.
You can sign uponline to receive an email reminder. This of course is the way to go. But let me just remind this government that for a significant portion of this province’s population, this instant change was lost on many. And for the many of us who help others manage their affairs, it’s another layer of work. Same goes for licence renewals and healthcards, so go sign up for those, too.
I’ve heard some saying with a cynical laugh that the enforcement is where the government will make back this money. Another way you can tell this was rushed? When you go to renew, you can renew for one year or two, same as before. But without having to pay, of course. One year or two? Hell, maybe I’ll select one year just so I can go through this nonsense more often. Who wouldn’t choose two years? Why is this an option, unless someone doesn’t know how to update their software program? In a hurry maybe?
https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/driving/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Ont_Licence_Plates_20200220-scaled-e1656950985776.jpg?w="576&crop=1&strip=all&quality=90 2x" height="1428" loading="lazy" src="https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/driving/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Ont_Licence_Plates_20200220-scaled-e1656950985776.jpg?w=288&crop=1&strip=all&quality=90" width="2540"/>
For drivers, the annual cost of a plate renewal is likely the smallest cost of operating their vehicle. It’s a passive tax that we should pay. If Ford wanted to be a hero, he should have sent that money to people who don’t drive. Reward them for the many inconveniences they tolerate in a province that is entirely too car-centric.
For now, we actually have a new Minister of Red Tape Reduction. Sounds to me like a dedicated office to skirting formalities like environmental studies and zoning plans — and of course, handing you back cash in a program you just know will end up costing more in the long run.
Hefty fines: yours to discover.
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