Federal NDP MP Brian Masse, who came to notoriety in the automotive aftermarket for his support of the Right to Repair Bill, is calling on the Canadian government to reform the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and provide more resources to Transport Canada.
The call comes in response to the Toyota recall currently underway.
“Canadians deserve the same robust oversight, regulation and enforcement as consumers in the United States do,” said Masse. “Inaction by the Conservative government has left Canadian consumers with nothing compared to their American neighbours.”
Masse, the NDP Automotive Critic, became well known in automotive circles most recently due to his sponsorship of Bill C-137, the Right to Repair Bill, designed to provide the independent repair sector with equivalent access to repair information and tools as that enjoyed by the car dealer networks. The bill was abandoned last fall with expanded commitments from industry players, including automakers, to forge a voluntary agreement.
Now, New Democrats are calling for Transport Canada to have the power to order recalls, establish an ‘early warning system,’ and convert voluntary compliance to mandatory compliance. Additionally, the Transport Canada Defects Investigation unit needs to obtain the tools and additional staff resources it needs to deal with the complexity of modern vehicles. As of now they have only a staff of 10.
“Even Toyota stated at the committee hearings that Transport Canada needs more staff. The government has to stop leaving safety to foreign companies and make these changes to the legislation,” said Masse.
The National Highway Safety Administration is conducting a thorough examination of the electronic components and software of Toyota vehicles. Transport Canada has declined to investigate these Toyota components. But south of the border, investigations have led to major changes that are protecting U.S. consumers and Canadians as well.
“We should not have to depend on a foreign country’s regulators to protect our citizens,” said Masse.
Congressional hearings in Washington by several committees have led to commitments by Toyota Motor Corporation to disclose information that was previously withheld concerning vehicle recalls and remedies worldwide. Toyota has also stated it would establish an Automotive Centre of Quality Excellence with a significant investment of resources and personnel. There have been no equivalent announcements or commitments in Canada. The US Congressional hearings have also led to the release of documents detailing Toyota’s Washington lobbying office boasting of saving the company $100 million by not instituting recalls.