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Motor Vehicle Safety Act (1993, c. 16)

Content last updated 2012.02.11

Summary Description

An Act to regulate the manufacture and importation of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment to reduce the risk of death, injury and damage to property and the environment

Administration: Minister of Transport


Statutory Text

Transport Canada assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of the statutory and regulatory information provided by this profile. This regulatory material has been prepared for convenience of reference only. For all purposes of interpreting and applying the law, users should consult the official publications of Canada's laws, which are available in most public libraries.

Consolidated text


Regulations and Orders Pursuant to the Act

Interim Orders

Order Modifying the Operation of the Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Cushions Safety Regulations and the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations

Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 143, No. 19 — May 9, 2009
Order Modifying the Operation of the Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Cushions Safety Regulations and the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations
SI/2009-39 May 13, 2009

Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 142, No. 19 — May 10, 2008
SI/2008-56 Order Modifying the Operation of the Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems...
SI/2008-56 May 13, 2008 (spent)

Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 141, No. 18 — May 5, 2007
SI/2007-60 Order Modifying the Operation of the Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems...
SI/2007-60 May 7, 2007 (spent)


Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS)


Bills (specific to the act)

Links to Bills are directed to the Parliament of Canada LEGISinfo website (http://www.parl.gc.ca/LEGISINFO/index.asp).

41st Parliament - 1st Session
(June 2, 2011 - )

C-13: An Act to implement certain provisions of the 2011 budget as updated on June 6, 2011 and other measures Royal Assent 2011.12.15

40th Parliament - 3rd Session
(Mar. 3, 2010 - Mar. 26, 2011)

S-5: An Act to amend the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (Ensuring Safe Vehicles Imported from Mexico for Canadians Act) Royal Assent 2011.03.23

Canada Gazette Part III, Vol. Vol. 34, No. 1, c. 1 to 14 — May 17, 2011
2011, C. 1 March 23, 2011
Ensuring Safe Vehicles Imported from Mexico for Canadians Act

Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 145, No. 18 — April 30, 2011
Royal Assent - An Act to amend the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (Bill S-5, chapter 1, 2011)


Regulatory Initiatives (specific to the act)

Depending on the date, amendments listed may not yet be included in the consolidated text.

Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations (proposed)

Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 146, No. 6 — February 11, 2012
Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations (proposed)

Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Interpretation, Section 18 and Standards 203, 204, 208, 212 and 219) (proposed)

Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 146, No. 6 — February 11, 2012
Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Interpretation, Section 18 and Standards 203, 204, 208, 212 and 219) (proposed)

Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Interpretation and Standards 207 and 210)

Canada Gazette Part II, Vol. 145, No. 25 — December 7, 2011
Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Interpretation and Standards 207 and 210)
SOR/2011-264 November 17, 2011
CIF September 1, 2012.

Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 144, No. 21 — May 22, 2010
Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Interpretation and Standards 207 and 210) (proposed)

Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Motorcycle Brake Systems — Standard 122)

Canada Gazette Part II, Vol. 145, No. 25 — December 7, 2011
Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Motorcycle Brake Systems — Standard 122)
SOR/2011-263 November 17, 2011
CIF December 7, 2011.

Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 144, No. 44 — October 30, 2010
Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Motorcycle Brake Systems — Standard 122) (proposed)

Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (proposed)

Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 145, No. 48 — November 26, 2011
Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (proposed)

Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Standards 105, 106, 116, 118, 123, 124, 131, 135, 209, 301, 302, 305, 401 and 500)

Canada Gazette Part II, Vol. 145, No. 23 — November 9, 2011
Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Standards 105, 106, 116, 118, 123, 124, 131, 135, 209, 301, 302, 305, 401 and 500)
SOR/2011-238 October 27, 2011
CIF November 9, 2011.

Government Notices (specific to the act)

Technical Standards Document No. 305, Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection — Revision 3

Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 145, No. 41 — October 8, 2011
Technical Standards Document No. 305, Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection — Revision 3

Technical Standards Document No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment — Revision 5

Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 145, No. 28 — July 9, 2011
Technical Standards Document No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment — Revision 5

Technical Standards Document No. 202, Head Restraints — Revision 1

Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 145, No. 28 — July 9, 2011
Technical Standards Document No. 202, Head Restraints — Revision 1

Technical Standards Document No. 305, Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection — Revision 2

Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 145, No.21 — May 21, 2011
Technical Standards Document No. 305, Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection — Revision 2

News Releases / Media Advisories


* links directly to Justice Canada website
# links to Transport Canada - Acts and Regulations
† HTML version not available from Canada Gazette. Links to Royal Assent version on Parliament of Canada website.