Ontario plans to phase out its blue license plates, deemed hard to see at night, by simply letting them wear out over time, confirmed by The Canadian Press through a senior government official, has been silently in effect since November 2022.
Premier Doug Ford's government, four years after the visibility issues of the blue plates were identified, opted not to announce their decision until now. This came to light after a prolonged battle over a freedom-of-information request that sought to uncover the province's plans.
Matthew D'Amico, representing the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery, reportedly stated that while the blue plates will remain valid, vehicle owners can swap them at no cost at ServiceOntario centres. This move diverges from the earlier stance that hinted at future instructions for replacement on the government's website, leaving around 124,000 blue plates currently in circulation.
The government considered several replacement strategies, including mail exchanges, but concerns over customer inconvenience, theft risk, and a financial estimate of $2.5 to $3 million led to the decision against a dedicated collection program. The source emphasized that public safety and toll readability on Highway 407 are not compromised.
The introduction of the Tory blue plates in the 2019 budget by Ford's Progressive Conservatives faced criticism for potentially politicizing the plates. Law enforcement expressed worries over the plates' legibility, highlighting the importance of clear visibility for officers. This new approach of allowing the plates to naturally phase out aims to resolve the issue without additional taxpayer expense.