Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act
The Ministry of Transportation has been given new safety powers to protect Canadians from vehicle defects. Early this month, the Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act was enacted to provide the Federal Transport Minister the power to order car companies to recall a vehicle to correct a defect, conduct tests and fix a new vehicle before it is sold. “Canadians may be surprised to know that prior [to the Act] only a manufacturer could issue a vehicle safety recall in Canada,” said Transport Minister Marc Garneau. “This legislation allows the government to proactively issue safety recalls in the interest of Canadians.”
What does the Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act do ?
In addition to imposing a recall, the Act gives Transport Canada the ability to perform more in-depth vehicle inspections for safety concerns and allows more flexibility to support new technologies like self-driving cars.
The Ministry has also been given the authority to impose fines of up to $200,000 to manufacturers for any violation of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
This is welcome news for the safety of Canadian drivers, especially in light of recent wide-reaching recalls that were issued for Takata airbags and, in 2016, Volkswagen emissions systems. In those cases, the existing regulator framework created a lag in respond to these safety risks.
Will the Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act make the government more accountable?
As Canada has slipped from number two in the world for auto assembly to number 10, we have become more and more dependent on foreign vehicles coming into the country. The Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act will give the government and the Ministry of Transportation more accountability to make decision and protect the safety of Canadian drivers and their families.
According to CBC News, one in every six cars on the road has a defect that has been the subject of a recall. Under the old law, vehicle owners relied on the manufacturer of to notify them of a recall.
Where there was an accident involving a vehicle with an open recall, the manufacturers of the vehicle can be held responsible. Unfortunately, ignoring a recall notice and continuing to drive a defective car could affect your ability to hold the manufacturer responsible. You can check if your car is the subject of an open recall through the Transport Canada website. Simply type in the make, model and year of your car to see any open recalls and the reasons for them.
If you have been injured in an accident involving a car that was recalled, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call us today for a free consultation on your case. We can help you review the facts and circumstances of your accident to determine if the car maker or others might be liable for causing you to be injured.
