The Ontario government has announced plans to make its gas and fuel tax cuts permanent and eliminate tolls on the provincially owned portion of Highway 407 East, beginning June 1, 2025.
The proposed legislation, part of the upcoming 2025 provincial budget, would maintain the provincial gas tax rate at nine cents per litre. Officials say the move would save the average household about $115 annually and provide continued relief at the pump.
In addition, the government plans to remove tolls from Highway 407 East—stretching from Brock Road to Highway 35/115—a change estimated to save daily commuters in the region up to $7,200 a year. This follows previous toll removals on Highways 412 and 418, as well as a 2024 law banning new tolls on public highways.
Premier Doug Ford framed the changes as efforts to ease financial pressure amid economic uncertainty and international trade tensions, including potential new tariffs from the United States.
The measures build on earlier cost-saving initiatives such as eliminating licence plate renewal fees and freezing driver’s licence fees, which the province says have saved residents a combined $1.8 billion over the past year.
Full details of Ontario’s 2025 budget are expected to be released on May 15th.
Written by: K. Freeman
