Ontario has announced that it is investigating the  action by Volkswagen Canada and Audi Canada to sell cars to its dealers and consumers with software to bypass the vehicle’s emissions control for possible violations under the Environmental Protection Act, which prohibits the sale of vehicles that do not meet emissions standards.

The province is also requiring the companies to provide a plan detailing the actions they will take to fix impacted vehicles in Ontario. When Volkswagen Canada and Audi Canada have identified an Ontario-specific solution to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, they will be expected to take action to ensure impacted vehicles are in compliance while minimizing any inconvenience and costs to owners.

Glen Murray, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change described the actions taken by Volkswagen Canada and Audi Canada as “unacceptable”.

“We want to make sure the right steps are taken to remedy this situation in a way that is easy for, and ensures the province’s emissions standards are met.”

QUICK FACTS

• There are approximately 11 million cars in Ontario – about 35,000 are impacted Volkswagen and Audi vehicles.
• Impacted cars include certain Volkswagen and Audi models from 2009-2015.
• The defeat software turned off specific emissions control systems resulting in nitrogen oxide emissions exceeding standards by up to 40 times.

http://news.ontario.ca/m/34463

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Manning Environmental Law is a Canadian law firm based in Toronto, Ontario. Our practice is focussed on environmental law, energy law and aboriginal law. 

Paul Manning is a certified specialist in environmental law. He has been named as one of Canada’s leading Environmental Lawyers by Who’s Who Legal: Canada and ranked by Lexpert as one of Canada’s Leading Energy Lawyers.

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