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.
