Conservative backbencher Rob Sampson introduced a private member's bill, which passed second reading in the Ontario legislature. It now goes to committee for review and would have to pass one more vote to become law.
"We have good auto manufacturers in North America but every once in a while, if and when a lemon car is produced, consumers need some redress," said Sampson. "This is a good way to do it."
Sampson says his bill would help protect car and truck buyers who face a "substantial deficiency" with their new vehicle.
He says consumers would need clear recourse if they buy a new vehicle that can't be fixed.
A defect would have to cause "substantial impairment to the use, value or safety" of the vehicle or cost more than $1,000 to fix.
Sampson says dealers would have three chances to fix substantial problems while the car is still under warranty. After that, manufacturers would have to buy back a defective vehicle or provide an equal replacement at no additional cost.
It would also allow manufactuers to deduct depreciation from the reimbursement payment.
Consumer Minister Tim Hudak said his colleague's proposal appears to have merit. Just about every state in the U.S. has enacted a lemon law.
"Lemon laws do exist in many states," said Hudak. "This is an issue we do get concerns about. We probably all know somebody who has purchased a car that needs considerable repairs."
Hudak points out the province has some consumer protections in place and there is an arbitration panel run by the automakers that tries to resolve complaints. But Sampson says existing provisions aren't enough.
In Canada, consumers can turn to CAMVAP — Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan — run by Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.
It's a free program that provides neutral third-party arbitration between car buyers and manufacturers over defects.
Related
External Links
- Ministry of Consumer & Business Services
- Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
- International Association of Lemon Law Administrators
- Lemon Law America
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)
More Headlines »
- Harper announces more rigorous product safety law
- The federal government on Monday announced a plan that will allow for greater product recall powers, stiffer fines for manufacturers and more product safety inspectors.
- Winter storm wallops N.L. after pummelling Maritimes, Ont., Que.
- A massive winter storm blew into Newfoundland and Labrador Monday after battering Central Canada and the Maritimes.
- WestJet suspends policy allowing minors to fly alone
- WestJet airlines has suspended a program that allows minors to fly alone after a five-year-old girl travelling last week was able to leave her flight with a stranger.
- Won't cling to power forever: Castro
- Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro said in a letter read on state television Monday that he does not intend to cling to power forever, but invoked the example of a renowned Brazilian architect who is still working at 100.
- Former Black confidant Radler gets 29-month term
- The 29-month jail sentence Conrad Black's one-time top lieutenant David Radler agreed to serve as part of a deal to testify against his former boss was approved on Monday.
Blog Watch
Most Blogged about CBC.ca Articles