On November 22, Ontario MPPs at Queen’s Park, MPPs voted unanimously to pass Bill 50.

Also known as the Cutting Red Tape for Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2018, voting to pass this bill at Second Reading represented a very crucial step.

The Bill will now be referred to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly, the final reading required. If it passes here, under the terms of the Legislature it will then become law.

Bill 50 was introduced by Mike Harris, the MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga.

If passed, Bill 50 would eliminate the need for automobile dealers to physically bring paperwork back and forth to a licensing office upon completion of a sale or lease. Instead, dealers would be able to register and licence the newly sold vehicle online, from their dealership.

During the debate, MPP Harris stressed Bill 50 is good for both auto dealers and consumers stating, “Here’s the bottom line, Mr. Speaker: moving the vehicle registration process online will make motor vehicle dealerships one stop shops, saving dealers and customers time and money.”

Frank Notte, Director of Government Relations for the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA), representing new car dealers in the province, said he was pleased to see that Bill 50 has made it to the next stage.

“The Trillium Automobile Dealers Association is thrilled with Bill 50 passing Second Reading. Having the Bill pass with all-party support shows it’s an issue everyone can get behind to modernize Ontario’s auto retail sector. We want to thank MPPs from all parties for supporting this much needed Bill and allowing it to proceed to the next stage of the legislative process.”

If the Bill does become law, Ontario will join Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island in allowing in dealership vehicle registration.