Despite earlier reports that the Ontario provincial government planned on cancelling the mandatory Drive Clean test fee, it will continue to be in effect, according to the Liberal Party 2016/2017 budget.
The Drive Clean program was created as a temporary measure to reduce vehicle emissions that contribute to smog until standards were up to par and caught up.
“Now that 95 per cent of cars are passing emissions testing, it’s time for Drive Clean to be scrapped,” said Lisa Thompson, PC Environment Critic in a written release.
“Ontario motorists are still wasting time and money thanks to the Drive Clean program. Not only do drivers have to take time away from work or their family to test their vehicles, but they are still paying the $30 fee indefinitely,” said Frank Notte, Director of Government Relations at Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) in an interview with Canadian auto dealer.
“Drive Clean is the perfect example of a blatant government cash grab that returns no benefit to dealers and consumers,” he added.
Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa had said multiple times that the government had eliminated fees and that the program is revenue-neutral, during an estimates committee. The program is still running a surplus of more than $11-million, according to a written release.
“Dealers and consumers can do something about the Drive Clean program by telling their MPP to scrap it. The provincial election is under two years away, and dealers and consumers should press their local candidates to take a position on Drive Clean. Trillium will play a role in making Drive Clean an election issue like we did in the 2014 provincial election where each political party publicly took a position,” said Notte.
