Environment Canada today said that it is opening an investigation into Volkswagen’s alleged use of defeat devices to circumvent diesel emissions regulations. The investigation involves gathering from a variety of sources evidence and information relevant to a suspected violation. Canada Opens Investigation on Volkswagen Diesel Emission Defeat Software. Environment Canada said that ~100,000 Volkswagen and Audi four-cylinder diesel cars model years 2009-2015 were sold in there.
VW has already said it is reserving more than $7 billion to fix the diesel emissions problems. That’s just the potential cost of the recall.
Canadian legislation and regulations prohibit vehicle manufacturers and importers from equipping a vehicle with a defeat device. If officers uncover sufficient evidence of violations, enforcement action will be taken in accordance with the Compliance and Enforcement Policy for the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA, 1999).
Canadian vehicle emission regulations are made under the authority of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA, 1999). Penalties for offenses relating to violations of such regulations may be imposed following a conviction of the offender and under CEPA, 1999; the maximum fine a large corporation would face for conviction on indictment is $6 million for each offense.
Violators may also have to forfeit any profits earned because of an offense. Corporate officials can be prosecuted if they authorize, accept or participate in any violation of CEPA, 1999, or its regulations. A range of sentences may be available upon conviction, including fines and possible imprisonment.
