Premier Selinger announces proposed new protections for families against false and misleading advertising on cars

December 3, 2012

MANITOBA GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE NEW RULES THAT WOULD PROTECT MANITOBANS BUYING A VEHICLE

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Proposed Changes Would Provide Protection from Sticker Shock, False Advertising: Premier

The Manitoba government will ensure greater fairness for families with new protections against false and misleading advertising on cars, and will require dealers to use all-in pricing, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“We want to ensure the price Manitobans see when they buy a vehicle is the price they pay,” said Selinger.  “Buying a car is an important and major purchase for Manitoba families and we want to protect them from paying more than the advertised price.”
The improved protections would:

• require advertised prices for vehicles to include all fees, charges, levies and taxes, unless the advertisement indicates PST and GST are not included;
• require vehicle advertisements for the current and previous model year to state if the vehicle is used; and
• prohibit false advertising and the providing of false information to consumer.

“These improved protections will also give us a broader range of tools for enforcement and give our Consumer Protection Office the authority to issue compliance orders and impose administrative penalties of up to $5,000 against dealers in violation of these new rules,” said Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs Minister Jim Rondeau.
Rondeau noted the proposed advertising changes have support from the dealership industry and consumer-based organizations.
“This move will level the playing field and raise advertising standards for the entire industry,” said John Carey, past president of the Manitoba Motor Dealers Association.  “This improved transparency has the full support of our organization.”
“CAA Manitoba gets several calls a day from Manitobans looking for advice about buying cars,” said Mike Mager, president and CEO of CAA Manitoba.  “These proposed rules will help ensure that consumers making one of the largest purchases of their lives are well-protected and informed.” 

This plan would protect consumers shopping for and purchasing motor vehicles are a key feature of Manitoba’s five-year plan for stronger consumer protections, the minister said.  Other initiatives under the plan include clearer rules for cell phone contracts, mandatory warranty on new homes, payday loan and debt settlement fee regulation, and protection for consumers related to car repairs.
In addition, the province is also proposing changes that would ban businesses from asking consumers to waive their consumer rights and give the Consumer Protection Office authority to issue consumer alerts about problem businesses when it is in the public interest.
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