The province of Alberta is about to impose stiffer rules and fines in an effort to curb predatory towing practices.
Upcoming modifications to the Client Safety Act embody the requirement for tow operators to “clearly talk all towing and storage prices and procure consent earlier than towing begins,” in addition to guarantee entry to a car and private belongings freed from cost.
Violators might face fines starting from $100,000 to $300,000 or as much as two years in jail, in response to the province.
Minister of Service Alberta & Pink Tape Discount Dale Nally says it’s the province’s subsequent step in curbing a problem that’s elevated in recent times.
“When Albertans are at their most weak, the very concept that these (tow operators) would sweep in with their predatory practices… excessive strain gross sales techniques… and cost them outrageous costs to tow and retailer their car simply wasn’t acceptable,” Nally stated.
Nally, together with legislation enforcement officers and trade specialists, says predatory practices skyrocketed within the province after related necessities have been enacted in Ontario practically two years in the past.
“(Ontario) stamped down on it, and what occurred was a whole lot of these dangerous actors simply moved west,” Nally defined.
It spurred various modifications inside the province up to now yr, together with bylaw changes in Calgary and Edmonton and the province making a 200-metre exclusion zone round accident scenes in August of 2025 that prohibits tow vans from coming into except requested by police or the motive force of the car.
Police in Calgary not too long ago charged a 25-year-old owner of a towing company with a number of counts of fraud in relation to a predatory towing investigation.
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However trade specialists say the issue has continued.
“I’m consistently coping with complaints from our membership on what they will do and the way they will stop folks from being victimized,” defined Don Getshcel of the Towing & Restoration Affiliation of Alberta.
“The reputable towers are those which are struggling as a result of all of us get lumped into the identical basket… as an trade, that is simply type of a black eye.”
Victims have detailed tales to World Information that embody exorbitant expenses, aggressive behaviour and holding automobiles in impound tons till payments are paid.
“Most likely one of many extra egregious ones that I noticed was a car was tipped over — (a towing operator) flipped it proper aspect up — and the cost was $16,000,” Nally stated. “And so they didn’t inform them till it was flipped proper aspect up. There was not $16,000 of labor accomplished there.”
Greater than a yr in the past, the Alberta Motor Affiliation (AMA) launched the Know Before the Tow marketing campaign, aiming to carry consciousness to client rights after they’re in want of a carry.
AMA president and CEO Michelle Chimko welcomes the modifications.
“Clearer guidelines will assist guarantee folks can really feel assured they’ll be handled pretty after they want a tow,” Chimko stated.
The province says different modifications embody:
- Requiring invoices with itemized prices and full particulars of companies supplied;
- Mandating the usage of essentially the most direct route for towing;
- Offering notification if a car is moved;
- Sustaining information of all companies and consent obtained.
Exemptions might be in place for conditions when towing happens on the path of legislation enforcement, for municipal parking enforcement, or on the path of personal property homeowners when a car has been left on their property.
“I feel we’re going to place these dangerous actors out of enterprise fairly shortly,” Nally stated.
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