The Ontario Government brings auto retail into the 21stcentury.
Ontario Transportation Minister, Jeff Yurek announced that the Ontario Government would permit auto dealers to apply for permits, plates, and validation stickers electronically. This move will effectively eliminate the need to physically transport paperwork back and forth to a Service Ontario office after each sale or lease.
“By allowing in-dealership licensing for Ontario auto dealers, Minister Yurek has made the most transformative change affecting the auto retail sector in a generation. This measure will cut red tape and save time and money for both dealers and consumers. This announcement is proof Premier Ford walks the walk when he talks about cutting red tape,” said Cliff Lafreniere, President, Trillium Automobile Dealers Association.
This announcement also advances key elements contained in Bill 50, like the Cutting Red Tape for Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2018, a Prive Member’s Bill, which highlights the need to bring the car buying experience into the 21stcentury. The Bill was introduced by Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris.
“The Trillium Automobile Dealers Association extends its heartfelt congratulations to MPP Mike Harris, who has been championing this issue since being first elected in June 2018. MPP Harris has shown an unrelenting work ethic to make this announcement a reality by touring the province, meeting with stakeholders and working with affected Ministries. His hard work has paid off,” said Lafreniere.
The program is set to launch in Spring 2020 and will undergo a six-month province-wide consultation in close partnership with Service Ontario network providers as well as car dealerships, rental car, and fleet vehicle organizations. The Trillium Automobile Dealers Association will be working with experts at Service Ontario network providers to make this new program successful for them, consumers, and auto dealers.
Lafreniere adds, “The Trillium Automobile Dealers Association also wants to highlight the tenacity of Minister Steve Clark, who brought this issue to the floor at the Ontario Legislature in 2015 while in Opposition. Responding to concerns from local dealers in his riding, Clark played a key role in laying the groundwork for this fantastic announcement, introducing a Bill three times and raising the profile the in-dealership licensing issue.”
