Parade to protest: Tow trucks sound their horns to protest a proposed new by-law in CBRM
More than a dozen tow trucks from different companies paraded through the streets of Sydney, N.S. in protest and in unity Tuesday. They’re concerned about a purposed by-law they say would make them pay more to operate in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
“We feel it’s a tax grab, because we already pay these fees to the Nova Scotia Government,” says Stephen Jamael, the owner of Jamael’s Towing in Sydney.
The tow truck licensing bylaw was on the agenda to be discussed at council Tuesday night, but that has since changed.
Operators say the bylaw includes an annual fee, driver accreditation and a flat rate that could cost the consumer more.
“Doing quick math, if you have 10 tow trucks, the new cost per truck is the better part of a thousand dollars, so if you have 10 trucks that’s 10 thousand dollars before you even turn your wheel,” says Frank Campbell, a tow truck operator.
Christina Lamey is the communications officer for the municipality.
“There's some further regulation going to be coming from the province in regards to the traffic safety act, so that is going to impact towing fees, impound fees, and rules around seizure,” says Lamey.
The CBRM says removing the discussion off of council agenda Tuesday night will give them the opportunity to open further dialogue with people in the industry who have concerns.
“The by-law is to put more consistency into the cost of towing, seizure and impounding of vehicles, particularly after traffic accidents, which deals with the police service,” says Lamey.
Tow truck operators feel they should've been consulted about the changes, and say it's unfair to compare the CBRM to the way bigger cities operate and regulate towing companies.
“What is going to happen is all of the small tow companies, most of them are going to end up going bankrupt over this,” says Kim Withrow, a tow truck operator.
There is no clear date as to when the towing bylaw will be back before council.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.