Minister of Transport Canada announces new regulations to fine companies or individuals who violate the Motor Vehicle Safety Act

OTTAWA, ON, June 15, 2022 /CNW/ - Keeping all Canadians safe on our roads is a priority for the Government of Canada, which is why we are always looking at ways to strengthen motor vehicle safety oversight.

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced that Transport Canada is proposing new regulations to fine companies or individuals who violate the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Penalties could range up to $4,000 for an individual violating the Act, and up to $200,000 for a company. Fines would apply per violation – meaning fines could be stacked for multiple breaches of the Act.

For severe violations affecting multiple vehicles, tires, or child seats – or those occurring over multiple days – Transport Canada could issue several penalties. The ability to fine, also known as an administrative monetary penalty, stems from the Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act, which grants the Minister of Transport and Transport Canada new powers to help keep Canadian roads safe.

Financial penalties are a proven and effective deterrent to non-compliance in many regulatory sectors in Canada. These proposed fines would give Transport Canada a new enforcement response to match the gravity and consequences of a violation for non-compliance.

Moreover, the proposed penalties would form part of Transport Canada's graduated approach to enforcement, which serves as an incentive to violators to come back into compliance, while also deterring future violations. 

Quote

"The Motor Vehicle Safety Act is intended to keep Canadians safe. Violations carry consequences and with these new proposed fines, our message is clear – violating the Act and endangering Canadians' safety could cost you, literally. These penalties are an impactful tool that than can be tailored to the nature of the violation. Strong enforcement is a strong deterrent, and our Government will continue to look at ways to improve safety for Canadians."

The Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport

Quick Facts

• These proposed new regulations would bring road transportation enforcement in line with the rail, marine, and aviation sectors, which can already issue administrative monetary penalties.
• Prior to establishing this proposal, Transport Canada carried out extensive consultation on these measures with industry and Canadians via its "Let's Talk Transportation" forum.
• The proposed penalties complement other actions that have been made to improve road safety, which include giving the Minister of Transport the ability to order a company to:

• Recall defective or non-compliant vehicles, child car seats, or tires;
• Pay the costs associated with correcting defects or non-compliance in these products; and,
• Prevent recalled products from being sold to Canadians before corrections are made.

Associated Links

• Canada Gazette, Pt. I: Administrative Monetary Penalties (Motor Vehicle Safety) Regulations
• Motor Vehicle Safety Act
• Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act
• Infographic – Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

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SOURCE Transport Canada

Laurel Lennox, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, [email protected]; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055, [email protected]