Bye-Bye License Plate Stickers!

In a savvy pre-election move, Premier Doug Ford has decided to eliminate drivers' annual $120 fee to renew their license stickers. To clarify, drivers will still have to renew their license plate stickers, but they will no longer have to pay for them. Additionally, all those who have purchased stickers since March 2020 are now eligible to apply for refunds. According to Ontario’s Financial Accountability Officer, this move will cost the government approximately $1.95 billion dollars a year. Of course, this shouldn’t be too big of a deal since Ford cut $1.6 billion dollars from Ontario’s education budget in September of 2021. 

Not only does the license plate sticker fee elimination distract from education cuts, but this political tactic to appeal to drivers has worked brilliantly for Ford in winning his previous election. In May of 2018, Ford vowed to lower gas prices for Ontario citizens and it likely won him the election, as it was a huge part of his campaign. It seems he is hoping that saving drivers’ money will do it again.

The next Ontario premier election will take place on June 2nd, 2022, but the elimination of license plate sticker fees will likely already be in place by then. Remember to vote carefully and enjoy one less fee to worry about!