Manitoba Poised to Name Shady Auto Dealers

Terri Goveia | March 2, 2010

Manitoba is one step further to releasing the names of auto dealers who sidestep provincial regulations.

The province’s Justice Minister and Attorney General, Andrew Swan, has promised to move forward on legislative amendments that will name auto dealers who are selling unauthorized vehicles, or skirting paperwork requirements in their dealings with consumers. Transparency measures are set to amend privacy regulations that currently protect unscrupulous dealers.

Shoddy service, poor quality vehicles

Consumers had complained of shoddy service from used auto dealers in Manitoba—some were selling “parts only” vehicles to drivers, or ignoring proper documentation, says Brian Smiley, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) spokesman.

The province’s public insurer is responsible for inspecting and auditing auto dealers to ensure that they comply with regulations, according to Smiley. The insurer has played a role in the amendments, providing a submission to Manitoba cabinet on the results of its review of auto dealer practices in late 2009. Although the review turned up infractions, MPI couldn’t release the names of offenders, due to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), he says.

Although the dealer’s sloppy practices wouldn’t affect a driver’s ability to get insurance, they would end up with a sub-par vehicle, often prone to problems, he says. 

With the dealer review complete, the Attorney General’s office  is slated to act on the recommendations this spring. “We’ve fully complied with the original request [from former-Minister responsible for MPI Dave Chomiak] ,” Smiley told CI March 3, “It has moved onto government.”