NEW – ON: Ministry of Transportation conducting emission inspections starting July 1, 2021

In late 2020, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) began consulting on their plans to integrate emissions testing for heavy-diesel vehicles with its vehicle safety program, the Motor Vehicle Inspection Station program.

Ministry plans include digitizing the data collected on vehicles from the inspection sites, issuing digital certificates and outsourcing inspection station operations. The integration will take place throughout 2021 and 2022 with MTO targeting full implementation by the end of 2022 for users, and the end of 2023 for station operators. Program highlights are available here.

Members should be aware that effective July 1, 2021 emission inspections will be conducted, when required, as part of MTO’s on road inspection program. Officers will have authority under the Highway Traffic Act to conduct inspections and “act accordingly” if a vehicle is deemed non-compliant.

Inspections will require an enhanced emissions component inspection in addition to an emissions test, thereby integrating the two, currently separate, mandatory inspections. The current safety inspection component requirements remain unchanged; Ontario will continue to align with the National Safety Code Standard 11B.

CPA Ontario Government Relations Director, Marcelline Riddell, attended a webinar consultation in December 2020 on this plan and will continue to participate in the process and communicate relevant developments to members.

MTO is planning future stakeholder workshops. The CPA will inform members as these are scheduled; member input is encouraged, so please contact Riddell at marcellineriddell@propane.ca if you wish to participate.