Education

Education

Dealer education is of paramount importance to the association and it's seen as the means of promoting a better, fairer marketplace for dealers and consumers.

Members are made aware of the rights and responsibilities of a dealer through meetings, newsletters and special publications that focus on key issues.

The UCDA introduced Canada's first education course in correspondence form in 1997, and followed it with another first, a comprehensive course for salespeople a year later. Over 3000 dealers and salespeople have been enrolled in the courses.
The UCDA's Practical Guide to the GST became an industry standard, especially in the weeks and months following the GSTs implementation in 1991. More than 6000 copies were published and even some Revenue Canada auditors used it as a guide.

The UCDA made a commitment to author a series of publications, known as "Key Features", that wade through the legal jargon of the Legislation that affects dealers and presents it in plain language with explanations and examples.

"Key Features of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act", the first publication, met with tremendous enthusiasm from members as well as a special commendation from the Consumer Minister for taking the initiative to improve dealer education.

A more ambitious publication has been "Key Features of the Sale of Goods Act".

This almost 100 page book helps to clarify many issues that get dealers into difficulty. It particularly deals with the implied warranties, guaranteed in every consumer sale, and reviews the responsibilities of dealers and consumers when a vehicle is sold.

A workshop seminar, entitled Know the Law and Protect Yourself was developed using "Key Features of the Sale of Goods Act" as the text. During 1995 sixteen workshops were held for members throughout the province and more than 300 of their staff participated.