PROGRESS ON A TIRE-some PROBLEM

PROGRESS ON A TIRE-some PROBLEM

In early January, we asked our members to comment on their experience with tire collection difficulties in all areas of Ontario.

The response was overwhelming. Members complained that tire collection had become unreliable, sporadic or non-existent in their area. Dealers were concerned that growing piles of uncollected used tires were unsightly, unsafe, and hazardous Members mentioned insurance rates would rise, consumers were upset and people were stealing used tires from their piles.

We joined a coalition of like-minded associations with similar concerns from the Ontario Tire Dealers Association, to the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association to environmental organizations to lobby for meaningful change to the process of tire collection and recycling, because the present system in Ontario is broken and badly in need of repair.

We are pleased to announce we have made progress with the Ministry of the Environment on this issue.

Last week, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks released proposed amendments to Ontario’s Tire Regulations.

These proposed changes are aimed at strengthening producer responsibility, improving tire collection and processing, and enhancing enforcement.

In the meantime, concerned UCDA members are encouraged to review the proposals and consider providing input. The consultation period is open until May 2, 2026, and includes a plain language summary to support understanding.

This is an important opportunity to help shape the future of Ontario’s tire framework and ensure it remains strong, effective, and sustainable.

https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/026-0218

OMVIC NEEDS EDUCATION

OMVIC NEEDS EDUCATION

As our members know, we have been offering Key Elements training since the start of the year for grandfathered registrants. We do this for FREE because, as a not-for-profit, we see this as a way to give back value to our members. OMVIC charges $202.86.

As our members also know, OMVIC’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) begins on April 1, 2026 and will affect the vast majority of registered dealers and salespeople on their next renewal cycle.

OMVIC wants $99 for this from dealers every year, and salespeople every two years.

By our calculations, OMVIC will rake in over 4 million dollars from registrants as a result of all this in the coming cycle. Of course, some of this will be paid to Georgian College for Key Elements, but it sure looks like more than “cost recovery” which OMVIC keeps telling everyone.

What OMVIC don’t tell anyone, is what those real costs actually are. Interestingly, OMVIC’s deficit last year was just over 4 million dollars, so that may be closer to the truth of all this. OMVIC are more concerned with your money than your education.

 Meanwhile, starting April 1st, the UCDA will be offering CPD training FREE of charge.

We asked OMVIC to share CPD material with us so we could make that training even better, more focused and efficient. Maureen Harquail, OMVIC’s boss, said this: “the [CPD] program is proprietary to OMVIC …”.

 OMVIC are a not-for-profit organization, we’d like to see them act like it.

If you are interested in any of the UCDA’s educational offerings contact education@ucda.org or call the office at 416-231-2600 or 1-800-268-2598 and ask for Val or Sukh. Please visit our website for more information at https://www.ucda.org/education/ucda-continuing-education/

EASTER WEEKEND 2026

EASTER WEEKEND 2026

Dealers are legally required to close on Good Friday, April 3rd and on Easter Sunday, April 5th, unless their local municipality has passed a by-law exempting retail businesses from the requirement to close on those statutory holidays. If in doubt, check with your local municipality’s by-law department.

Dealers may be open on Saturday, April 4, and on Easter Monday, April 6, which is not a statutory holiday.

The UCDA search facility will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but will be open as usual from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 4th and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6th.

On-line searches can be done all weekend at: www.ucdasearches.com

Lien searches requested on Good Friday and Easter Sunday will be available the following day.

 

FSRA OPENS THE GATES

fsra opens the gates

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) has opened applications for auto insurance Point of Sale Test and Learn Environment (TLE).

The TLE will test the sale of auto insurance at Ontario motor vehicle dealerships by licensed agents and brokers.

FSRA is now accepting applications for a TLE designed to offer more convenience and choice for consumers when they buy auto insurance in the province, while ensuring consumers are informed and protected with strong safeguards in place.

The TLE will make it possible for consumers to purchase auto insurance directly at a motor vehicle dealership through a licensed insurance agent or broker when they buy a vehicle.

“FSRA is making it safe to test new and creative ways for consumers to purchase auto insurance in Ontario,” said Stephanie Appave, Director of FSRA’s Innovation Office. “The Test and Learn Environment (TLE) for the Point of Sale program will help FSRA evaluate how this model works in practice and ensure those who purchase auto insurance during this TLE are informed and protected.”

Those approved to participate in the TLE will receive a two-year exemption from the current prohibition on selling auto insurance at dealerships under the Insurance Act, with the possibility of a one-time, two-year renewal. All other insurance regulatory requirements will continue to apply.

FSRA will monitor the TLE to assess whether Point of Sale models improve consumer convenience, whether they introduce any additional risks, and how those risks can be effectively mitigated. Those approved to participate will be required to implement enhanced consumer safeguards, including clear disclosure that consumers are not required to purchase auto insurance at the dealership.

This initiative supports Ontario’s commitment to broaden FSRA’s TLE and provide greater convenience to consumers.

Interested parties are encouraged to contact FSRA before applying at PointofSaleTLE@fsrao.ca

Learn more here:

https://www.fsrao.ca/announcements/fsra-opens-applications-auto-insurance-point-sale-test-and-learn-environment-tle?utm_source=auto&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pointofsaleTLE_Mar26

FAMILY DAY

FAMILY DAY

Dealers are legally required to be closed on Family Day, Monday, February 16th, unless their local municipality has passed a by-law exempting retail businesses from the requirement to close on statutory holidays.

Of course, dealers may be open on Saturday, February 14th and, if they wish, on Sunday, February 15th.

The UCDA search facility will be closed on Family Day, but will be available as usual from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday at 416-599-7412 or 1-800-668-8265, reopening on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026.

On-line searches will still be available throughout Family Day at www.ucdasearches.com.

 

UCDA TRAINING COURSE FOR OMVIC KEY ELEMENTS EXAM

UCDA TRAINING COURSE FOR OMVIC KEY ELEMENTS EXAM

The UCDA is pleased to announce that we are now offering a new training course designed to prepare dealers for the OMVIC Key Elements Exam.

 As a reminder, this exam is mandatory for dealers who were previously grandfathered, and it will be required in order to renew dealer and salesperson registration beginning July 2026.

Upcoming Course Details

  • Date: Tuesday, February 10
  • Availability: 5 in class spaces remaining
  • Time: 9:00 a.m. – approximately 12:30 p.m.
  • Location: UCDA Office, 230 Norseman Street, Etobicoke
  • Lunch: Provided

This course is offered at no cost to UCDA members. In addition, should you complete the UCDA preparation course and not successfully pass the OMVIC Key Elements Exam, UCDA will cover the cost of your exam rewrite.

 Registration & Additional Information
To register or for more information, please contact education@ucda.org or call 416-231-2600.

 We encourage dealers who are affected by this requirement to take advantage of this training opportunity.

A TIRE-some PROBLEM

A TIRE-some PROBLEM

Media reports, and stakeholders, are sounding the alarm over used tire recycling in Ontario.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/tires-piling-up-ontario-recycling-targets-cut-9.7025225

It’s said that changes by the Ontario government to regulations early in 2025, lowering recycling targets from 85% to 65% of used tires collected by weight, may be part of the problem.

Some are suggesting, as a result, the collection of used tires is being impacted, as companies responsible for tire recycling have stopped processing them.

This may be creating a backlog in the system.

The bottom line … some of our members may be having problems getting their used tires collected.

This will be of particular concern to UCDA members that have repair facilities, sell new tires and collect used ones or deal with third party repairers who may be reluctant to take additional supply.

Our question for members is, are you seeing this problem first-hand?

The UCDA wants to try to gauge the level of the problem.

Please tell us what you are experiencing in the marketplace with your used tires (include numbers and volumes) by emailing us at:

tires@ucda.org

BUYING AUTO INSURANCE AT DEALERSHIP

BUYING AUTO INSURANCE AT DEALERSHIP

As the UCDA has been reporting to members in Front Line, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) is proceeding with a test environment to assess the workability of allowing consumers to buy auto insurance directly at a dealership, as part of their vehicle purchase or lease.

What follows is news of an upcoming Webinar on January 14 at 10:00 a.m., to introduce dealers to the plan, and how they might participate:

Act Now: Register for FSRA’s Point-of-Sale webinar

Join the Auto Policy and Innovation Teams at the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) to learn more about how to participate in the new Point-of-Sale Test and Learn Environment (TLE) pilot and application process. The webinar is being held on January 14 at 10:00 a.m. (ET).

The Point-of-Sale program is designed to make it easier and more convenient to buy auto insurance in the province. The program will make it possible for consumers to purchase auto insurance directly at the dealership from a licensed agent or broker when they buy or lease their vehicle.

The Point-of-Sale TLE will help ensure consumers are fully informed and protected with strong safeguards in place.

During the webinar, you’ll learn:

  • The scope and duration of the TLE
  • Who is eligible to apply
  • FSRA’s expectations for applicants

Register now to reserve your spot and be part of this exciting step toward a more modern, consumer-focused auto insurance marketplace.

Holiday Hours

Holiday Hours

Dealers must be closed on December 25, 2025, Christmas Day (a Thursday this year) and January 1, 2026, New Year’s Day (also a Thursday). Staff must have those days off, with pay.

While you can be open on Boxing Day (Friday, December 26, 2025), if you are, another day off must be given to staff or they must be paid their regular pay plus time-and-half holiday pay for working that day.

The UCDA office will be closed on December 25, 26 and January 1, 2026.

UCDA searches can still be performed online at www.ucdasearches.com during the holidays, and the office will be open as usual December 22-24, and 29-31st, 2025, and reopen on January 2, 2026.

 

Happy Holidays from the UCDA!

FRONT LINE AND CANADA POST

FRONT LINE AND CANADA POST

It’s not us Canada Post, it’s you.

We have decided to end our long-standing practice of mailing a copy of Front Line to each and every Member every month.

It’s not just about saving on paper, or postage costs, or printing and handling costs, it’s also about the frustration of dealing with on again, off again service, from a postal provider that promises one thing and literally does not deliver.

We have, for many years now, also sent Front Line by email, and these days all of our Members use email. We make sure to get emails at the time any new Member joins.

Many of our Members have already opted to receive Front Line by email exclusively anyway.

As you know, Front Line comes by email in an easy to read online format and you can download an easy to read, and easy to print, PDF version.

You can also review our Front Line archives on our website at:

https://www.ucda.org/front-line-ucda/