ORILLIA, ON — Following a two-year investigation, Ontario Provincial Police have laid multiple fraud charges against several commercial driving school operators.
The probe focused on fraudulent licensing activities that circumvented the processes of the Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
An announcement Wednesday from OPP headquarters said the investigation revealed three major components of a scheme that "significantly" impacted safety on Canadian highways:
- use of an interpreter to fraudulently complete required licensing knowledge tests
- non-Ontario residents applying for an Ontario driver's licence
- circumvention of the Mandatory Entry Level Training standard
Investigators identified more than 200 incidents in which students committed a variety of illegal actions to obtain their commercial vehicle licence.
They also uncovered another scheme involving individuals operating unlicensed driving schools and delivering unauthorized training to students.
As a result of these unlicensed operations, OPP have seized six tractor-trailers.
Four people from southern Ontario and two people from Quebec are all charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with fraud over $5,000.
They were released from custody after making an initial appearance in court in Ottawa.
OPP said they have shared the findings of the investigation – including details on the 200 students identified – with the Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
Detective-Inspector Daniel Nadeau said "The focus of this lengthy investigation has been public safety. Tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles can be deadly in the hands of those with little or unapproved training."
The OPP investigation was initiated after Quebec provincial police shared information in 2019 about fraudulent passenger and commercial motor vehicle licensing activities.
