Road tolls might be an inevitability for drivers in Toronto and Montreal

The ability to drive on just about every road in Canada without paying tolls is considered by many to be as sacred as health care.

However, as gridlock threatens to choke economic prosperity, and 20th century infrastructure continues to wear down, the calls have gotten louder to start charging motorists on some existing routes.

The most recent of those arguments was put forth by the Toronto Board of Trade. A new report has claimed that infrastructure underfunding now costs the regional economy $6 billion a year.

But the toll road idea wasn't welcomed by city councillor Doug Ford, advisor to his mayor brother Rob, who is a staunch opponent of pretty much anything perceived as an inconvenience to drivers.

Rather, the Fords believe that tunnels built and maintained by the private sector are the way of the future. There's also Hwy. 407, an electronic toll road which allows for a smoother ride across the Greater Toronto Area which has generally been considered a success since it opened in 1997.

Premium toll-funded alternatives to existing roads, with the prospect of a payoff for investors and more convenience for motorists, are seen by Doug as preferable to expecting drivers to cough up extra money to keep the old infrastructure on life support.

Montreal is similarly challenged to find financing to modernize its roads. Mayor Gérald Tremblay has floated the idea of a 10 cents per litre gas levy. The city's board of trade has found people would be willing to pay an extra penny or three.

Regardless, the idea of selective road tolls or smart meters in Montreal has met with minimal enthusiasm, because commuters would likely just change their routes to those without them.

A recent global report from consulting firm Ernst & Young lauded Canada for its move to address aging urban infrastructure thanks to $16 billion in stimulus funding. Still, it was suggested that institutional investors like pension funds could be doing more to back transportation projects.