Time to scrap Drive Clean: Barrett

For immediate release:
February 12, 2013

Simcoe – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett says the latest reboot of the decade old Drive Clean program should get the boot altogether.

Barrett made the claim following the Wynne government’s latest set of changes introducing a bureaucratic and excessively onerous procedure for consumers and car dealers to follow if their vehicle fails the new Drive Clean test. The changes build on a government revamp of the program that now have vehicles undergo an OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) test instead of an emissions test directly at the tailpipe – changes that resulted in an immediate jump in failure rates from 5 per cent up to 10.5 per cent.

“When our previous government introduced the program in 1999, emission reduction was both the goal and the result – today numerous drivers are being told their car has failed the test simply because its on-board computer isn’t ‘ready with the only reduction coming to the motorists wallet,” Barrett pointed out. “It’s clear government introduced a more stringent e-test as a way to justify a program that has obviously outlived its usefulness.”

To ensure all monitors/on-board computers are ready, the Ministry of the Environment has suggested motorists should spend a few days driving the vehicle on the highway and around town.

“it seems hypocritical that a program geared to emission reduction would also encourage Ontarians to drive around aimlessly to remedy a technical glitch before they can pay more money to take another e-test,” stated Barrett. “The fact that this is an unworkable, ineffective money-grab that has well passed it’s best before date.”

The Auditor General specifically warned the Liberals last year to delay the implementation of their new e-test in order to ensure that all technical testing was completed and problems were resolved.

In typical Liberal-fashion, the government ignored the advice of the Auditor General and rushed ahead with their new emissions test – neglecting any due diligence whatsoever.

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For more information contact
Toby Barrett 519-428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629