Ottawa Area Curbsider Fined

Toronto, March 23, 2003 - Curbsider Eric Philip Stiles received heavy fines in provincial court on Monday, March 22 for offences in contravention of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA) and Business Names Act (BNA).

Stiles, who was known to operate in the Ottawa area, was convicted of 20 counts of curbsiding and fined a total of $30,000. Numbered companies operated by Stiles -- 148117 Ontario Inc. and 3908429 Canada Inc. -- were also collectively convicted of 20 counts of curbsiding and fined $82,500.00. In addition to these fines, Stiles also faces a 24-month probationary period.

In Ontario, all motor vehicle dealers and salespeople must be registered under the MVDA before engaging in the business of buying, selling or leasing vehicles. In the industry, unregistered individuals selling vehicles are known as "curbsiders" and are subject to prosecution.

Stiles and 1481147 Ontario Inc. were also charged under the BNA for carrying on business under a name that was not registered. Both were convicted of 5 counts each and fined a total of $15,000. A 24-month probationary period also accompanies these fines. Total fines under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act and the Business Names Act (including a victim's surcharge) totalled $159,375.

Ken Peterson, Chair of the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council -- the self-management body responsible for dealer registration and administration of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act -- says Stiles' fine is a consumer victory that ought to serve as an example for other curbsiders: "It appears the tide may finally be turning in favor of the consumer. Ontario's dealers can cheer when they see these kinds of fines imposed on the bad guys, however the consumer is the real winner. If stories like this one were to receive more provincial exposure, it might deter other curbsiders in all parts of Ontario."

Consumers buying motor vehicles are reminded that transactions conducted through registered dealers are protected through the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund. The fund is financed by registered dealers and is available (under specific criteria) to consumers who may have suffered a financial loss from their motor vehicle transaction. This protection is lost if buying privately or through a curbsider. OMVIC's web site, www.omvic.on.ca, allows consumers to search for registered dealers in their communities and also provides more information on the compensation fund.

Suspected curbsiders can be reported to OMVIC by calling 1-888-NOCURBS.