Published By: The Formula Publications Team

Officials with Toyota Canada apologized yesterday to Canadians over its safety recalls but that may not be enough to placate certain politicians in Ottawa.

Speaking to reporters following Parliamentary hearings on Tuesday that saw M-Ps grill Toyota Canada executives over problems with sticking gas pedals, Transport Minister John Baird said the issue of an investigation has bee raised with his officials.

According to the Canadian Press, Baird also pointed out he cannot direct the department to conduct a criminal probe into when the automaker knew about defects and when it officially launched the recall.

Tuesday’s hearings with Toyota Canada officials saw the company apologize to customers over the litany of safety issues that has plagued the Japanese automaker since last November.

Yoichi Tomihara, president and CEO of Toyota Canada Inc. said his mandate is to ensure Canadian operations adhere to Canadian laws and regulations and Toyota’s global core values.

“A Canadian perspective is really important when explaining the recall,” he said. “And all issues related to this campaign and what we are doing in the future to minimize the possibility of such issues re-occurring.”

During questioning, company officials admitted they could have notified the Department of Transportation sooner than January.

Also appearing yesterday was Yoshi Inaba, president and COO of Toyota Motor North America, Ray Tanguay, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, and Stephen Beatty, managing director of Toyota Canada Inc.

- with files from The Canadian Press