The Ontario Ministry of Environment has launched an investigation into Volkswagen Canada and Audi Canada over the worldwide scandal involving diesel cars built to cheat emissions tests.
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, the ministry says it will investigate whether the company violated the Environmental Protection Act, which prohibits the sale of cars that do not pass Ontario’s emissions standards.
Last month, it was revealed that Volkswagen AG and its related brands installed software in cars equipped with specific models of its turbodiesel engine, which would allow them to drastically lower the level of nitrogen oxide they emit, but only when undergoing an emissions test.
At all other times, the cars were shown to emit nitrogen oxide at levels up to 40 times more than is what is legally acceptable in North America.
Environment Minister Glen Murray says the emissions test cheating is “unacceptable.”
“We want to make sure the right steps are taken to remedy this situation in a way that is easy for Ontarians, and ensures the province’s emissions standards are met,” Murray said.
The ministry says it expects Volkswagen to ensure all 35,000 of the affected vehicles it sold in the province will comply with future provincial emissions tests, while “minimizing any inconvenience and costs to owners.”
Vehicles affected include several different models of Volkswagen and Audi cars sold between 2009 and 2015.
