Lemon laws or consumer protection laws related to vehicles have existed for a long time to avoid customers being cheated by crooked salespeople in car sales. However, while the United States has significant fanfare in the media regarding its lemon laws, Canada has taken a different approach. Consumers in the Great North need to take a different approach from that of their American counterparts.
Look to Local Laws
Locate the protection rules that apply in your specific province. Some provinces have such protections on file for their jurisdictions; others have none whatsoever.
The Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
You can seek the help of the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP). This provides a third-party approach to resolving the disputed issues between the buyer and seller regarding the affected vehicle. An arbitration is the normal approach and the final decision is binding on the parties involved.
Law Enforcement
If you believe fraud was involved, you should discuss the matter with law enforcement. Criminal fraud is prosecuted in Canada just as much as it is in the United States. But remember, law enforcement will only act if there is sufficient evidence to do so. Make contact with your local police office to initiate discussions with officers.
The Automobile Consumer Coalition
Supporting the Automobile Consumer Coalition (ACC) could help long-term efforts for lemon laws. The ACC has been established to help advocate for official laws and regulation that support a lemon law concept. The Coalition is studying the current active model in the United States to determine which parts work best for a possible Canadian model, but nothing has officially been enacted as of March 2010.
Automobile Consumer Coalition
21B Vaughan Road, Suite 123
Toronto, ON M6G 2N2
Canada
416-651-0555
carhelpcanada.com
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