TADA Achieved Once-in-a-Generation Advocacy Win in 2022

Ontario Invests $23.9 Million for Digital Dealership Registration

TORONTO, ON (December 28, 2022) – The Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) is counting the year 2022 as one of its most successful years advocating at Queen’s Park. In March, the Ontario Government announced the Digital Dealership Registration (DDR) program would become a reality for Ontario’s auto retail sector.

“Getting Digital Dealership Registration / DDR across the finish line is the biggest advocacy win for Ontario new car dealers in a generation. Thanks to the leadership of Premier Ford, this program will cut red tape, and save consumers and dealers time and money. There is no doubt about it – Doug Ford is the most pro auto retail Premier in Ontario’s history,” said Frank Notte, Director of Government Relations for TADA.

“Digital Dealership Registration is an important part of our commitment to offer Ontarians simpler, faster, and better access to services. It’s a game-changer for the auto retail sector, helping businesses save time and money, cutting red tape and making it easier for car dealerships to do business in our province,” said Kaleed Rasheed, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery. “The TADA, its members and others in the auto sector have been an essential part of the development of this service. I encourage dealerships to put forward an expression of interest to participate in the program as we continue to onboard many more into this program over the next year and expand its benefits across the province.”

As we enter 2023, the TADA will continue working closely with the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery – who is responsible for Digital Dealership Registration. “I have met with Minister Rasheed and I’m impressed with his enthusiasm for Digital Dealership Registration. Having worked for Blackberry prior to entering politics, Minister Rasheed understands digitizing the car buying process and providing customer service excellence through DDR benefits the auto sector and consumers,” said Notte.

The 2022 Ontario Budget invested $23.9 million in the Digital Dealership Registration program to allow eligible car dealerships to register new vehicles online and issue stock, including permits and licence plates. Once fully implemented, DDR will help move online up to 4.7 million dealership registration transactions annually including the registration of pre‐owned vehicles, vehicle transfers and vehicle permit replacements, all of which must currently be conducted in person.

This year, the Ontario Government highlighted the benefits of Digital Dealership Registration in its annual Burden Reduction Report and recognized TADA’s support. The report states “Although DDR is invisible to the vehicle purchaser, it can cut the time they must wait to pick up and drive their new vehicle off the lot from up to four days, to just a few minutes.”

“The TADA is incredibly thankful to MPP Mike Harris for championing Digital Dealership Registration ever since he was first elected in 2018. Thanks to his hard work, the car buying process will become digitized, streamlined and brought into the 21^st century,” said Notte.

Other advocacy wins from 2022 include:

• Ensured Dealer and Service Plate fees would be eliminated along with White Plate fees, saving dealers thousands of dollars every year.
• Confirmation of Ontario’s plan to build Highway 413 that would connect Halton, Peel and York Regions – a highway TADA first advocated for in 2012.
• Tolls were eliminated on Highways 412 and 418 in Durham Region – lessening the cost of vehicle ownership for drivers and businesses.
• The extension of Ontario’s Gas Tax cut of 5.7 cents/litre for an additional year – until December 31^st, 2023 – to help lower the cost of doing business and vehicle ownership for consumers.