Federal opposition calling for amendments to Motor Vehicle Safety Act

Following hearings into the Toyota recall, the New Democrat Party is calling for the government to reform the Motor Vehicle Safety Act that would empower Transport Canada.
NDP MP Brian Masse is calling for Transport Canada to have the power to order recalls, establish an ‘early warning system,’ and convert voluntary compliance to mandatory compliance.
As well, the NDP Automotive critic says the Transport Canada Defects Investigation Unit needs to be expanded in both tools and staff resources to “deal with the complexity of modern vehicles.”
The unit currently has 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 during a parliamentary session.
Masse noted that the U.S.’s National Highway Safety Administration is conducting a thorough examination of the electronic components and software of Toyota vehicles. Transport Canada has declined to investigate the components.
“We should not have to depend on a foreign country’s regulators to protect our citizens,” he said.
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, an NDP release says.
Toyota has also stated it would establish an Automotive Centre of Quality Excellence with a significant investment of resources and personnel, it adds.
“There have been no equivalent announcements or commitments in Canada.”