OMVIC: The Who, What, When, Where, Why and How
Oct
3
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
OMVIC is celebrating its 20th anniversary of providing consumer protection to Ontario’s car buyers, but not everyone knows about this regulator, what they do and how they can help.
Who is OMVIC?
OMVIC (Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council) is Ontario’s vehicle sales regulator. With a mandate to protect consumers, OMVIC’s 103 staff, including inspectors and investigators based across the province, administers and enforces the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act and other consumer protection statutes on behalf of the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.
When was OMVIC established?
OMVIC was created in 1997 by the then Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations.
Why was OMVIC created?
The Ministry created OMVIC to help maintain a fair and informed marketplace in Ontario by protecting the rights of consumers, enhancing industry professionalism and ensuring fair, honest and open competition for registered motor vehicle dealers.
How does OMVIC protect the rights of consumers and enhance industry professionalism?
OMVIC carries out its mandate by:
- Providing FREE consumer inquiry/ complaint handling services to consumers in 150 different languages
- Maintaining strict dealer/salesperson registration requirements
- Inspecting all Ontario dealers (new and used)
- Providing dealer and consumer education and awareness initiatives
- Investigating and prosecuting industry non-compliance and illegal sales (curbsiding)
- Administering the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund – a consumer protection program financed by Ontario’s registered motor vehicle dealers
Where is OMVIC located?
OMVIC’s head office is in Toronto, but compliance staff (inspectors and investigators) are based across Ontario. Additionally, communications/education staff travel across the province to deliver educational programs and participate in industry events, and legal staff attend all Ontario courts to conduct prosecutions.
What is the Transaction Fee?
OMVIC receives no government funding. Its revenues are predominantly derived from dealer and salesperson registration fees and the $10 transaction fee. Here’s how it works:
Registered dealers must pay OMVIC $10 for each retail car sale or lease. This money is remitted annually along with the dealer’s regular renewal fee. While not all dealers pass the transaction fee on to their customers, it is allowed and many do.
To learn more about OMVIC and the services it provides, please visit www.omvic.ca
Connect with OMVIC on social media!
Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council
@omvic_consumers
OMVIC - YouTube
@omvic_official
Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council
www.omvic.ca
www.ontario.ca/page/consumer-protection-ontario
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