Act
Safer Streets Proposals - Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024
Regulation Number(s):
N/A
Instrument Type:
Act
Bill or Act:
Highway Traffic Act (HTA)
Summary of Proposal:
In line with the Ministry of Transportation's (MTO) commitment to protect and improve the quality of life of Ontarians, the province continues to target bad actors to keep Ontario's streets and communities safe. The Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024, includes six proposals to amend the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) as follows:
1. Establish a new provincial offence for knowingly providing a false Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for a vehicle transaction with the MTO.
This proposal, if passed, would introduce a new offence for knowingly providing a false VIN for a vehicle transaction with the MTO, with penalties including any combination of the following:
• A fine range of $50,000 to $75,000 for the first infraction or $75,000 to $100,000 for any subsequent infraction.
• Imprisonment for not more than 6 months.
• A driver's licence or vehicle permit suspension of not more than one year.
2. Extend the application of careless driving and careless driving causing bodily harm or death to parking lots.
Currently, careless driving offences apply only to Ontario's roadways. This proposal, if passed, would expand the scope of these offences to include parking lots.
3. Increase the limitation period for careless driving and careless driving causing bodily harm or death.
Currently, there is a six-month limitation period for laying charges related to careless driving offences. This proposal, if passed, would extend this period to two years.
4. Introduce time limits for appeals related to commercial vehicles.
Currently, there is no deadline for Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) certificate holders to submit an appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) regarding decisions made by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. This proposal, if passed, would introduce a 30-day time limit for CVOR certificate holders to appeal such decisions to the LAT.
5. Improving the framework for an administrative penalty program for commercial vehicle oversight.
While the HTA permits the establishment of an administrative penalties program, amendments are required to support development of such a program for commercial vehicle oversight. This proposal, if passed, would provide the necessary flexibility to establish an administrative penalty program for commercial vehicle oversight in the future, following further stakeholder engagements.
6. Enhance the authority of the Registrar for commercial vehicles.
Currently, the HTA grants the Registrar the authority to place conditions and/or restrictions on a CVOR certificate only when it is first issued. This proposal, if passed, would strengthen the Registrar of Motor Vehicles' authority to allow for conditions and/or restrictions to be placed on CVOR certificates at any point in the client lifecycle.
We appreciate your input and invite you to submit comments for MTO's consideration.
1. Establish a new provincial offence for knowingly providing a false Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for a vehicle transaction with the MTO.
This proposal, if passed, would introduce a new offence for knowingly providing a false VIN for a vehicle transaction with the MTO, with penalties including any combination of the following:
• A fine range of $50,000 to $75,000 for the first infraction or $75,000 to $100,000 for any subsequent infraction.
• Imprisonment for not more than 6 months.
• A driver's licence or vehicle permit suspension of not more than one year.
2. Extend the application of careless driving and careless driving causing bodily harm or death to parking lots.
Currently, careless driving offences apply only to Ontario's roadways. This proposal, if passed, would expand the scope of these offences to include parking lots.
3. Increase the limitation period for careless driving and careless driving causing bodily harm or death.
Currently, there is a six-month limitation period for laying charges related to careless driving offences. This proposal, if passed, would extend this period to two years.
4. Introduce time limits for appeals related to commercial vehicles.
Currently, there is no deadline for Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) certificate holders to submit an appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) regarding decisions made by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. This proposal, if passed, would introduce a 30-day time limit for CVOR certificate holders to appeal such decisions to the LAT.
5. Improving the framework for an administrative penalty program for commercial vehicle oversight.
While the HTA permits the establishment of an administrative penalties program, amendments are required to support development of such a program for commercial vehicle oversight. This proposal, if passed, would provide the necessary flexibility to establish an administrative penalty program for commercial vehicle oversight in the future, following further stakeholder engagements.
6. Enhance the authority of the Registrar for commercial vehicles.
Currently, the HTA grants the Registrar the authority to place conditions and/or restrictions on a CVOR certificate only when it is first issued. This proposal, if passed, would strengthen the Registrar of Motor Vehicles' authority to allow for conditions and/or restrictions to be placed on CVOR certificates at any point in the client lifecycle.
We appreciate your input and invite you to submit comments for MTO's consideration.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
It is anticipated that there will be no direct compliance costs associated with these proposals.
Further Information:
Bill 223, Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024
Proposal Number:
24-MTO021
Posting Date:
November 18, 2024
Comments Due Date:
November 27, 2024
Contact Address:
Ministry of Transportation
Road Safety Program Development Office
Safety Program Development Branch
87 Sir William Hearst Avenue
Building "A", Room 212
Toronto, Ontario
M3M 0B4
Road Safety Program Development Office
Safety Program Development Branch
87 Sir William Hearst Avenue
Building "A", Room 212
Toronto, Ontario
M3M 0B4