AMVIC's cancellation decision upheld

EDMONTON, Sept. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - The Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council's cancellation of an Edmonton used car businesses' sales licence and salesperson registration was upheld by an appeal panel in a decision dated Sept. 9, 2016.  

An independent appeal panel appointed by the Minister of Service Alberta concluded that Martin Hausner, owner of Cars on Whyte and Edmonton Imports, failed to respond to AMVIC's various enforcement actions and "demonstrated a callous disregard for the regulatory role AMVIC plays."

Hausner repeatedly failed to pay the AMVIC levy of $6.25 per vehicle sale, has failed to attend an administrative review scheduled by the regulator and did not pay a $1,500 administrative penalty issued by AMVIC against a second business, Edmonton Imports.

"We could not allow someone who blatantly ignores consumer protection laws to continue to operate," John Bachinski, executive director of AMVIC said. "We made several attempts to gain compliance including warnings, director's orders and administrative penalties."

The appeal panel's decision upheld AMVIC's Oct. 27, 2015 cancellation of Martin Hausner's salesperson registration and his business licence for Cars on Whyte. The business licence for Hausner's other business, Edmonton Imports, was cancelled Oct. 1, 2015 and has been the subject of several consumer complaints over the past year. In spite of the licence cancellations, Hausner continued to sell vehicles.

"We take consumer protection very seriously. If a licensee refuses to comply then it is our duty to take the steps necessary to ensure consumers are protected," Bachinski said.

AMVIC's Director of Fair Trading (as delegated) can cancel, suspend, refuse or impose conditions on a business licence or salesperson registration if the person contravenes Alberta's Fair Trading Act or has failed to comply with a term or condition of his or her AMVIC business licence.

About AMVIC: The Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) is a regulatory organization authorized by the Minister of Service Alberta to enforce and administer the following legislation in relation to automotive business: the Fair Trading Act; the Automotive Business Regulation; the Cost of Credit Disclosure Regulation, and the Internet Sales Contract Regulation. AMVIC's mandate is to provide consumer protection in Alberta's motor vehicle industry. AMVIC publishes valuable information and tips for consumers, businesses and salespeople at amvic.org.

SOURCE Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC)

Media inquiries may be directed to: Lynette MacLeod, Communications officer, Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council, 780-466-1140 ext. 2237, [email protected]