Ottawa police still catching tow drivers, businesses not following the law
Posted Jul 17, 2026 09:56:24 AM.
Last Updated Jul 17, 2026 09:58:32 AM.
Officers have been conducting routine inspections in compliance with the Towing and Storage Safety Enforcement Act and are still finding people and businesses not complying.
Between April 1 and June 30, several inspections resulted in 76 charges laid: 23 related to the towing act, 14 for issues storing vehicles and 38 Highway Traffic Act offences.
One of the common problems was a lack of signs at the tow yards, police said in a release.
“During inspections, some operators were found to have incomplete signage missing required information, while others had no signage posted at the main entrance, as required,” they note.
Signs are for transparency and to protect customers. When a vehicle has been towed, clear signs help the public find the yard or locate information to release the vehicle from the business.
“The goal of our enforcement program is not simply to issue charges, but to ensure the towing industry operates safely, professionally, and in accordance with provincial legislation,” said Cst. Jason Killeen, Ottawa Police Service.
Other problems police encountered included a lack of required documents, unsecured loads, and failure to complete daily logs.
The numbers issued by police are a slight decrease from the previous year’s same time period.
8 times being charged by OPP
Southway Towing Inc. and one of its drivers are facing offences for the eighth time. To date, 30 charges have been laid against the company in the last two years.
Most recently, a driver was charged for trying to provide services without consent, fail to comply with requirements and “engaging in prohibited practice.”
