Masse demands Toyota treat Canada and the U.S. equally

WINDSOR - Toyota Canada Inc. must treat Canadian and American consumers equally and immediately release all information related to the vehicle recalls to the House of Commons Industry and Transport committees, says New Democrat Industry, Automotive, and Border Critic Brian Masse (Windsor-West). Committee hearings are anticipated in the coming week with the return of Parliament.

“It is outrageous that U.S. consumers get door-to-door service with a flatbed truck to pick up their vehicles and free rental cars while there is complete silence from Toyota Canada on providing the same to auto owners in this country,” says Masse.

Toyota announced it is extending a deal to provide free pick-ups and rental cars to consumers across the U.S. Furthermore, Toyota stated it would establish an Automotive Centre of Quality Excellence with a significant investment of resources and personnel in the U.S. There have been no equivalent announcements or commitments in Canada.

“Toyota agreed to provide all information on all vehicle recalls worldwide to U.S. congressional committees. But in response to a request I made two days ago, they declined to provide our Parliament with the same information,” says Masse. “Canada is receiving second-class treatment. This alone demonstrates the need for parliamentary hearings immediately.”

Yesterday, at Congressional hearings in Washington, Toyota Motor Corporation agreed to disclose information that was previously withheld concerning all the vehicle recalls and remedies worldwide. The investigations into Toyota by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Manhattan and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission are ongoing. Transport Canada has declined to investigate Toyota.

“These commitments by Toyota to U.S. consumers and the U.S. congress were secured at congressional hearings and through criminal and regulatory investigations, yet in this country Stephen Harper, the Transport Minister, and Transport Canada have decided to not investigate at all and abandon Canadians,” says Masse. “Committee hearings in the House of Commons are the only way to protect Canadians since the Harper Conservatives are refusing to do so.”