New law coming to compel vehicle recalls, fine car companies that don’t comply

By The Canadian Press | June 1, 2015 | Last updated on April 7, 2025
1 min read

OTTAWA – Federal Transport Minister Lisa Raitt says car manufacturers can’t be trusted to voluntarily recall vehicles when there are safety concerns.

The federal government plans to give itself the power to force recalls. Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation

Consequently, she says the federal government plans to give itself the power to force recalls when Canadians’ safety is threatened.

Related: Takata airbag recall affects 1.2 million vehicles in Canada

Raitt says the government intends to bring in a new vehicle recall law that would also give the government the power to fine companies that don’t comply with a recall order.

The announcement comes on the heels of a major recall of 1.5 million cars in Canada over safety concerns from malfunctioning air bags.

Related: Japanese auto manufacturer recalls nearly 34 million air bag inflators

The government currently can’t force an automaker to recall vehicles, unlike in the United States.

Instead, car makers must tell Transport Canada of defects when they find them.

The Canadian Press