A Quick Look at the Ontario
Motor Vehicle Industry Council
In 1997, the motor vehicle
dealer industry in Ontario
became the first regulated
business sector to move to
self-management. On January 7 of
that year, the first
administrative authority created
pursuant to the Safety &
Consumer Statutes Administration
Act, assumed responsibility for
the administration of the Motor
Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA).
WHAT IS OMVIC?
OMVIC is the industry's
self-management body and is made
up of the 8,800 registered
dealers in Ontario. As the
administrative authority for the
MVDA, OMVIC enforces the
registration requirements for
motor vehicle dealers and
salespersons in the province.
OMVIC's mandate and vision is to
maintain a fair, safe and
informed marketplace in Ontario.
OBJECTIVES
OMVIC is focused on
achieving:
- Consumer protection
through pursuit of those who
would prey on an unwary
public
- Increased consumer
confidence through
compliance activities and
complaint handling
- Consumer awareness
through dissemination of
information concerning
consumer rights via
public information and
awareness programs
- Dealer professionalism
through certification
programs for new dealers and
salespersons
- Increased accountability
through administration of a
Code of Ethics, Standards of
Business Practice and an
open disciplinary process
LEADERSHIP
Board of Directors
OMVIC receives guidance from
a 12-member Board of
Directors made up of nine motor
vehicle dealers, two consumer
representatives and one
government representative. The
Board's responsibilities include
providing business direction to
OMVIC while ensuring its
financial and functional
viability and providing access
to appropriate resources.
Executive Director and
Registrar
Day-to-day management of
OMVIC is provided by an
Executive Director, who is also
responsible for the overall
administration of the MVDA. As
such, the Executive Director
acts in the capacity of
Registrar. This responsibility
entails statutory authority to
propose to refuse or revoke
registrations.
SERVICES
We will promote a fair
marketplace through innovation,
enforcement and excellence in
service.
OMVIC is structured around
four areas of service aimed at
protecting the public interest:
- Registration
- Inspections, investigations and
prosecutions
- Complaint handling
- Public awareness and
professional standards
1. Registration
The registration process
includes careful screening of
all applicants. In order to be
registered, all applicants must
meet the requirements stipulated
in the MVDA. Registrations are
valid for a limited time, and
renewals are conditional on
registrants having demonstrated
honesty, integrity and financial
responsibility.
2. Inspections,
Investigations & Prosecutions
Inspections are conducted to
examine business locations and
to verify that books and records
are properly maintained.
Investigations are launched in
situations where non-compliance
is suspected, and prosecutions
may occur as a result.
3. Consumer Complaints
OMVIC handles disputes
between consumers and dealers or
between dealers themselves. The
goal is to assist the parties
involved to achieve a negotiated
solution in order to avoid
recourse to the courts.
4. Professional Standards &
Public Awareness
OMVIC promotes dealer
education programs as means of
enhancing professionalism in the
motor vehicle industry. In
addition, OMVIC fosters public
awareness and understanding of
consumers' rights and
responsibilities.
BENEFITS
Self-management of the motor
vehicle dealer industry offers
value to consumers, dealers and
government alike. Some of the
more meaningful benefits
include:
- Better understanding of the
industry resulting in more
effective management
- Simplified processes and
procedures
- Focused use of resources at no
cost to taxpayers
- More accessibility to programs
and services
- Better response times when
addressing problems and concerns
- Focus on customer service
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