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Letter to the Editor

AMVIC Charges in Efforts to Better Automotive Industry

CALGARY-- The Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) has announced 89 charges and 11 convictions against Alberta automotive businesses and individuals. Charges ranged from operating without a provincial business licence and odometer rollbacks to fraud and issuing false vehicle histories. The actions were the result of extensive investigation and communications dating back to September 2000.

"AMVIC, with the support of Alberta's ethical and legitimate players in the automotive industry, is focused on ridding itself of illegal, fraudulent and unethical behaviour. Those who operate in such a manner need to recognize there are consequences for their actions," stated AMVIC's Chairman of the Board Rick Romeril.

The charges fall into three broad categories:

• 53 charges under the Fair Trading Act and Criminal Code of Canada were laid against a number of businesses and individuals from Gibbons, Calgary, Nanton and Edmonton; charges range from fraud to misrepresentations to false vehicle history to odometer rollbacks.
• 36 charges under the Fair Trading Act were laid against businesses for operating without a provincial business licence, as required by law. These businesses are located in Calgary, Medicine Hat, Brooks, Strathmore, Redcliff, Champion, Drumheller, Okotoks, Vermilion, Vegreville, Red Deer, Edmonton and Stony Plain.
• 11 convictions were registered against a number of individuals and businesses from Edmonton, Montana (USA), Mayerthorpe, Calgary, and Nanton. The seriousness of inappropriate behaviour by those convicted is reflected in the actions taken by the Courts (i.e. fines and other penalties levied against the guilty parties).

Further charges are pending against a significant number of other businesses who are presently operating without a provincial business licence, despite considerable efforts by AMVIC to convince businesses to comply. "This type of illegal activity denies legitimate automotive businesses and consumers from accessing the benefits of Alberta's automotive marketplace," states Rick Preston AMVIC's Executive Director.

"We will not let this go on unchecked. Simply put, play by the rules or face the consequences. Hard working consumers and fair-minded, law-abiding businesses and their employees deserve better. Today's announcement is proof positive that AMVIC and the industry are doing what it takes to make a good industry that much better."

AMVIC is a non-profit organization that took over responsibility from the provincial government September 1, 1999 for self-managing the automotive industry and enforcing the Automotive Regulations set out in the new Fair Trading Act. Since September 1, 1999, AMVIC has laid in excess of 300 charges against Alberta businesses and individuals engaged in illegal, fraudulent and unethical activity, all with the support of legitimate hard working Alberta automotive businesses and employees.

Additional Initiatives

AMVIC will shortly implement Operation Advertising Compliance. The program is aimed at ensuring automotive businesses advertise their products and services in accordance with the provisions of the Fair Trading Act and respective regulations. Since February, 2000 AMVIC has been engaged in a comprehensive education and communications campaign aimed at informing Alberta's automotive industry of advertising rules and requirements.

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