The provincial government in Ontario announced plans to review the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA) and change the legislation to address the skilled trades shortage—something the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) has long been advocating for.
The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services announced in August a plan to formally review the MVDA, which was enacted in 2002. TADA has been pushing for MVDA reform to make it more convenient for dealers and consumers.
TADA Director of Government Relations Frank Notte told Canadian auto dealer that his organization is looking forward to the MVDA consultation process, in hopes it will cut red tape and allow for off-site vehicle transactions.
“A consumer can buy a car with an electronic signature and get the transaction done, but some of the finance companies require a wet signature,” said Notte. “Even before the pandemic, consumers were requesting the ability to do business offsite, away from the dealer’s fixed address. It’s a sign of the times.”
He said people want to do it on their terms, and that dealers want to help them because they are in the customer service business.
“We’re asking the Government, does it really matter where the deal is done? The most important thing is that the customer is dealing with an Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council registered salesperson,” said Notte.
The TADA received support from the government in 2021 when it passed the Building Opportunity in the Skilled Trades Act, which eliminated the outdated and ineffective College of Trades and replaced it with a streamlined agency called Skilled Trades Ontario.
The government passed the Act in June after the TADA made a presentation to the Legislative Committee in May. The new legislation accomplished a 10-year-old legislative priority for Ontario new car dealers, eliminating the College of Trades.
