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The safety inspection certificates of some 200 vehicles in Manitoba were declared null and void after an investigation by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) found that the certificates were issued fraudulently.
According to MPI spokesperson Brian Smiley, the insurer launched an investigation after it received information that nearly 200 fraudulent light vehicle inspections were allegedly completed by a technician at Birchwood Automotive Group.
Birchwood Automotive Group president and CEO Steve Chipman revealed to CBC News in an email interview that the company recently uncovered safety inspections being prepared on stolen certificates of inspection. As soon as Birchwood Automotive found the fake certificates, it immediately notified MPI.
“Our primary concern is for the safety of the driving public in Manitoba,” Chipman said, adding that Birchwood Automotive has offered to re-inspect the vehicles affected by the scheme.
Both MPI and Birchwood Automotive have notified all of the vehicle owners affected by the falsified certificates, explaining that they are considered “null and void.”
Smiley revealed that as a result of the investigation, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles immediately suspended the former technician from conducting any more light vehicle inspections.
“As administrators of the Light Vehicle Inspection program, the safety of vehicle owners and other road users is the priority of MPI,” the spokesperson added.
