Ontario has had a mandatory vehicle branding program since March 31, 2003. According to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) insurance companies, auto recyclers, salvagers, auctioneers, dealers and individual vehicle owners must assign a brand type to vehicles that have been damaged to the point of total loss. These vehicles must be reported to the MTO and the brand is then recorded in the Ministry of Transportation's Vehicle Registration System.

The four types of brand are:

"Irreparable" - written off as a total loss; can never be driven on the road again

"Salvage" - written off as a total loss; can be repaired or used for parts; cannot be licensed until repairs are inspected and brand is changed

“Rebuilt" - previous “Salvage” vehicle - has been repaired and undergone two inspections; can now be licensed and driven

"None" – has not been given one of the other three brands;
may have been branded outside Ontario but MTO is not aware; may have been damaged/rebuilt prior to March 31, 2003; may have been damaged but was not written-off; may never have been involved in a collision

- https://www.omvic.on.ca/portal/NewsPublications/ConsumerLine...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 hrs (2022-03-28 23:18:21 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

London, Ontario — September 11, 2017 —

Vehicles in Ontario that have been significantly damaged must be reviewed for purposes of assigning a registration “brand.” This includes vehicles damaged in accidents or through fire, theft, flood and vandalism.

These “brands” can be assigned by responsible parties and act as a registration notice that advises future purchasers that these vehicles may have sustained significant prior damage.

- https://www.collisionrepairmag.com/ciia-to-host-vehicle-bran...