Proposed amendments to the Drivers and Vehicles Act would allow for the full disclosure of names and administrative actions taken by the registrar of motor vehicles, Attorney General Andrew Swan, minister responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance, announced.
These amendments would enable Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) to disclose administrative sanctions against vehicle dealers and salespeople, driver-training schools and instructors, vehicle and parts recyclers, inspection station operators and qualified mechanics.
“We’re going to ensure consumers are protected from businesses and individuals who choose to ignore established business rules and fail to conduct proper business actions,” said Swan. “This bill is supported by the Manitoba Motor Dealers Association, the Manitoba Used Car Dealers Association and the Auto Recyclers of Manitoba.”
Administrative and enforcement actions typically result from information gathered through an audit/inspection of a permit holder’s operations by MPI staff or through information obtained from consumer complaints.
“The majority of concerns are resolved amicably and with the full co-operation of the permit holder,” said Swan. “However, when suspensions or cancellations are required, those actions will be made public.”
Currently, the Drivers and Vehicles Act authorizes the registrar of motor vehicles to issue permits for buying or selling vehicles for compensation, buying or selling vehicles for the purpose of reselling them for scrap or parts, operating a driver-training school, providing driving instruction, conducting vehicle safety inspections and issuing certificates of inspection.
In conjunction with the new proposed amendments to the Drivers and Vehicles Act, administrative sanctions would allow the registrar to refuse to issue a permit, refuse to renew a permit, or to cancel or suspend a permit when an applicant or permit holder:
• has engaged in conduct that affords reasonable grounds to believe the applicant or permit holder will not act according to law and with integrity and honesty;
• is or will be in contravention of the act or the regulations if issued a permit;
• fails to meet qualifications or to satisfy requirements of the regulations;
• has made a material misstatement or failed to disclose information required in the application for the permit;
• has breached a condition of a permit that has been issued.
Action could also be taken for any other reason the registrar considers sufficient.
“These amendments provide transparency,” said Swan. “Permit holders who receive administrative sanctions would now be posted on the MPI website along with their business address and general statement regarding the infraction.”
