Dec 12
Have your Number ready!
- You may be receiving a call from the RIV shortly. They are being proactive in order to be ready when and if the new regulation is approved. Over the next few days they will be verifying the email addresses and pertinent information of over 2000 Canadians.
- Our advice is simple, make sure you have all your info with you at all times! If you leave the house put your phone onto call forward over to your cell.
- If you have a car in the country, but you haven’t paid for your Form1, then you need to make a decision. We can’t make it for you.
- Stop calling and tying up the lines. For the next couple of days let the RIV folks make sure everyone is ready to be processed quickly.
December 12th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Right on and lets remain diligent and united until final solution.
December 12th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
I called RIV today. I was told that they can not do any thing because they are just doing the dirty job of representing Transport Canada.
The guy admitted that TC has made a mistake and we the consumers are paying for it.
He also told me that TC has made a private agreement with BMW, MB and another big dealer that is why the Recall and Admissibility letters must come from Canadian BMW and MB dealers otherwise it is not acceptable to have the Recall letter from US dealer.
When I called MB Canada they were extremely rude and told me to either pay the Canadian price or forget it.
BMW Canada has been rude from get go and hung up after a short conversation.
I guess Canadian consumers are immaterial and do not count.
I do not see any way out except for a Class Action Law suite against TC and dealers and stop buying from BMW, MB and other dealers for at least one month.
Just buy used cars or those which are admissible.
Some food for thought.
December 12th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
I agree with Sid as things will not get better on their own. People need to get together united against the big manufacturers and TC pursue them thru the courts
December 12th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
So what do you suggest if your deal is pending and the RIV just have a file number but not yor e mail address or telephone contact
December 12th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
there is just one problem with pursuing manufacurers or TC through the courts IT TAKES A VERY LONG TIME, AND WE DO NOT HAVE THIS TIME!!!!!
WE need to find alternative methods to get them to take action NOw!!!!!!!!!!!
December 13th, 2007 at 12:26 am
I received a message from RIV today saying that they wanted my latest contact information because my vehicle would probably be released early next week. I phoned and left my information and the agent again repeated that they expeected my vehicle to be released early next week and they wanted to be able to send to myself form 2 as soon as possible. I was very surprised to hear from them after everything which has transpired in the last six weeks.
December 13th, 2007 at 12:39 am
If you really want free trade for motor vehicles and an honest and transparent set of rules, from our government for the future, then we must either have, immediately, a proper public inquiry, or sue Transport Canada and the manufacturers, in order to achieve that. It simply will not happen, without us doing one, or the other. There have been private deals going on behind our backs for years, to keep us out of the market place. Such behavior is illegal, yet The Competition board of Canada has done absolutely nothing about it. Transport Canada is actually doing everything possible to help the manufacturers to keep us out. There have, so far, been no protests in the House of Commons, of any note whatsoever, from either of the official opposition parties, to this. The first question is why? The second question is, who has successfully influenced Transport Canada officials to achieve this? There are literally billions of dollars at stake for the manufacturers. By controlling and restricting market access, a manufacturer can eliminate competition and by eliminating competition, can charge higher prices and increase profits. Transport Canada is helping to restrict market access, in order to assist the manufacturers in charging higher prices to one group of people, Canadians, than are charged to another group of people, Americans. A person of great interest to Canadians, who has been all over the news this past two weeks, testifying in Ottawa, before a Parliamentary committee, has just told us, that bribes, involving large amounts of cash are very common in Canadian government. I am ready to join a class action. Is anybody else ready. ???? Canadians must become much more determined to stand up for their rights. All too often, Canadians are regarded as being indifferent, to what is unjust and unwilling to make the effort to do anything about it. Let this not be another example of that. We must take action here. Either we must have a very professional and properly conducted public inquiry, or we must sue. Personally, I prefer the public inquiry, provided it is transparent and conducted properly. We must act!!! No one should underestimate how important this is. At the moment, we have a powerful ministry of the Federal Government in collusion with powerful foreign owned manufacturers, to provide a financial benefit to those manufacturers. We need to know, what financial benefit has been provided, by certain manufacturers, to certain Federal Government officials. We need to have our government working for us and put a stop to allowing our government officials to work for those, who only seek to take great advantage of us.
December 13th, 2007 at 1:43 am
in response to Andrew Timmins:
I agree we absolutley have to stand up for our rights. I am tried of being considered the “General Public” who just takes whatever is dished out to us.
I personally would also prefer a public inquiry, of course provided it is transparent and CONDUCTED PROPERLY.
You are absoloutley right we have to act, and we have to get to the bottom of this.
Is there anyway we can get the ball rolling now, before this fades from the public domain and interest starts to diminish.
December 13th, 2007 at 9:45 am
timmis
December 13th, 2007 at 10:02 am
If those persons who are in favor of a public inquiry, will confirm their support here in this column, it will help to start the process moving forward. It will likely take some money to pay for a lawyer to get this started. Please indicate that you support this effort and make a pledge to help fund it if you are able to. $100.00 X 1000 people is $100,000.00 and will pay for a very expert lawyer to guide us through this. $200.00 X 1000 people would pay the legal fees for a very serious legal campaign and so on. The more that people will pledge, the more that we can do. We must take back control of Transport Canada and make sure that this government ministry is investigated, that those responsible for illegal actions are punished and that Transport Canada works for us from now on.
December 13th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Possibly we need a proper place in this website, where we can make our pledges, with a format that allows the insertion of the name, address and e-mail of each person making a pledge and the amount that is being pledged. I hereby propose, that I shall start, with a pledge of $500.00. Can we have someone set up a place in the website where we can register our pledges ? We will also need to direct pledges to a specified fund to be managed properly, possibly by a lawyer, or accountant. I can help to organize this. Suggestions are welcome.
December 13th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
I’m all for it, but how do we select the best law firm for this?
December 13th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Mr.Timmis:
I support your initiative and look forward to a properly constituted pledge commitment area that is a secure site where we can make a credit card donation.
I would prefer a judicial inquiry in lieu of a class action lawsuit which the government can use our money to pay their lawyers to fight us.
In the next federal election, I will vote according to the response of this Government to harmonization.
It appears that the press has been shut down by the auto manufacturers or perhaps the Shrieber / Mulroney drama has their attention right now.
The success of the group with respect to the copyright issue could be a model for us. For me, the problem of the people who are having problems getting their cars into Canada has resulted in my doing more research and finding what the agenda of Transport Canada has been for the last five years. I am sure that there is more to come. If we have a good enough story that will attract viewers, maybe the Fifth Estate will do a documetary on this issue.
December 13th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Remember that only about three weeks ago, in November, the newspaper in Victoria, pulled the advertisement of a small independent auto dealer, from the newspaper, after the ad ran for only one day, in response to a complaint, from a large franchised dealer for one of the manufacturers. The small independent was advertising his services in assisting people importing cars from the U.S. He offered to find used cars, do the paperwork, ship the cars and deal with customs and his ad was pulled out of the paper, because it offended a big dealer for one of the manufacturers. As far as the agenda of Transport Canada over the last five years, how about the last thirty years. As well as the letters that I have written on this page, and elsewhere in this website, go to the “get involved” page and scroll down and read some of my letters, which outline just some of Transport Canada’s actions going back to the seventies. Why did the Minister of Transport change the wording on the safety information labels, effective January, 1,1996 ??? just when the American dollar was strong and prices in Canada were lower and we were trying to export. Why did Transport Canada allow General Motors to sell cars in Canada during the 1996 and 1997 model years with exhaust emissions labels that have a blank space where the declaration of conformity is to be placed. This made it impossible for Canadians to sell those cars to Americans, just when the market gave us a chance to do so. Why did General Motors sell cars and trucks in Canada in the 1980’s with exhaust emissions labels that state that the vehicle conforms to Transport Canada regulations when in fact, a quick check in the trunk, reveals a label hidden under the trunk mat, that displays the code NA-5, that confirms that the vehicle was actually built to conform to U.S.E.P.A. standards. ??? These things were done at those times, to stop us exporting cars, just when the dollar and the market were favorable to us. No matter in which direction Canadians have wanted to move cars and trucks across the border, whether it is to sell one to an American, or to buy one from an American, Transport Canada has been right there alongside the manufacturers to help them to put a stop to it. Why has Transport Canada recently allowed Lotus to import the Elise, when the Elise does not even have conforming bumpers. What about the bumpers on the Smart Cars, particularly the early ones, which don’t seem to even have bumpers. Why did Transport Canada decide to use 5MPH as the standard for bumpers, at a time when the U.S. decided to use 2.5MPH for their standard. Bumper standards have nothing to do with occupant safety. These standards are in place, ONLY, TO PREVENT US FROM HAVING ACCESS TO THE MARKET PLACE. Canadians must understand what is going on here. I am ready to enter my name on a pledge site now. If this can be established on this website, I am ready. If not I am open to suggestions now.
December 13th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Mr.Timmis
I feel the same frustration that you feel. I hope that a good result come out of the efforts of those who participate in ending the business practices of Transport Canada and those with whom they have served….and much of that is not the Canadian public.
December 13th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
What relationship do you think car prices have to insurance premiums…could it be that investment income increases at auto insurers as the premiums increase. Does the insurance industry want higher car prices?
December 13th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Congratulations to those who’ve received a phone call from the RIV in anticipation of the (now) likely passing of the proposed amendment to CMVSS114. Things are looking up.
To the rest of us who have yet to receive this call then check your Form 1; if the customs agent didn’t take down your contact info then you may never get this phone call from teh RIV. Such was the case with my Form 1 so I called RIV to have them update my file with my contact info. The agent then informed me that they did not have a record of my recall letter on file, despite the fact that I’d presented it to them in person on Novemeber 19th. Anyways, I’ve now faxed off my recall letter and just waitin’ for my phone call ….
So the lesson of the day (at my expense): This might be a good time to check with the RIV to make sure they have everything they need on file so that there are no unexpected delays in releasing your Form2 once the RIV gets the green light some time soon (hopefully).
Good luck.
December 13th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Hope the final decision will come before the holiday….. does anyone know when they will show down the riv office for holiday?
December 13th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
still parking my car at the Canadian border…
December 14th, 2007 at 1:03 am
Mr Timmis, I agree with you and am ready to pledge $$ needed to get a public inquiry going.
December 14th, 2007 at 4:42 am
One way to get a public inquiry going would be to canvas the Auditor Generals Office? Correct me if I am wrong, but if you swing over to the web site http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/domino/other.nsf/html/auqdn_lavg_e.html#32
Dealing with the Car folks needs a special approach, and we think we may have one, but save your dollars for now, (use them to buy that loved one of yours something special for the holidays) and stay tuned.
Lets focus our energies on the short term. We want and need our plates. We need your suggestions on what should be done next if nothing happens on Monday? Day 15 is tomorrow! So what happens on day 17?
December 14th, 2007 at 6:57 am
The Canada Gazette website that lists regulations open for comments shows the 15 day period for this regulation to be Dec. 1 to Dec 16th inclusive. So it looks like Monday Dec 17th would be the first day that it could be officially registered and hence effective.
Is there a mechanism to find out if this has been done so we don’t have to wait for the next publication of the Canada Gazette to find out? My vehicle is sitting at a dealer in Maine ready for me to pick it up. It would be really nice to have it home for Christmas.
Thanks for all your help on lobbying the Government on this issue.
December 14th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
If we do not get a response from RIV, Kash Ram Or Transport Canada by Monday December 17, maybe we should all consider calling Mr. Lawrence Cannon to wish him a Merry Christmas:
He is listed at three addresses as follows:
Gatineau Quebec: Toll Free: 1-866-283-8774
Tel: 819-281-2626
Fax: 819-281-2755
Maniwaki Quebec: Toll Free: 1-866-846-9096
Tel: 819-441-2510
Fax: 819-441-2680
Mansfield Quebec: Tel: 819-683-1696
Fax: 819-683-1939
I would venture to guess that they are all working this week-end in order to clear up this mess.
Contacting Mr Cannon will assure him of his popularity with his fellow Canadians.
Mansfield Quebec: Toll Free:
December 14th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Unfortunately, Mansfield Quebec has no toll free listing that I could locate.
Sorry,
Cy
December 15th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
LIBERALS WHO MAY HELP IF YOU EMAIL THEM…
LIBERALS
Mr. Navdeep Bains, M.P.
Bains.N@parl.gc.ca
Ms. Sue Barnes, M.P.
Barnes.S@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Scott Brisson, M.P
Brison.S@parl.gc.ca
Ms. Paule Brunelle, M.P.
Brunelle.P@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Paul Dewar, M.P.
Dewar.P@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Stephane Dion, Leader of the Opposition Dion.S@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, M.P.
Dosanjh.U@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Ralph Goodale, M.P.
Goodale.R@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Michael Ignatieff, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Ignatieff.M@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Marlene Jennings, M.P.
Jennings.M@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, M.P.
Leblanc.D@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Tom Lukiwski, M.P.
Lukiwski.T@parl.gc.ca
The Right Honourable Paul Martin,
Special Advisor to Priorities & Planning
Martin.P@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Dan McTeague, M.P.
McTeague.D@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable John McCallum, M.P.
McCallum.J@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Lucienne Robillard, M.P.
Robillard.L@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Judy Sgro, M.P.
Sgro.J@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Belinda Stronach, M.P.
Stronach.B@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Joseph Volpe, M.P.
Volpe.J@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Bryon Wilfert, M.P.
Wilfert.B@parl.gc.ca
December 15th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
BLOC QUEBECOIS WHO MAY HELP IF YOU EMAIL THEM….
Mr. Gilles Duceppe, M.P.
Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca
Ms. Francine Lalonde, M.P.
Lalonde.F@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Pierre Paquette, M.P.
Paquette.P@parl.gc.ca
December 15th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
NDP WHO MAY WISH TO HELP IF YOU EMAIL THEM….THEY DO WANT TO GET ELECTED……
Mr. David Christopherson, M.P.
Christopherson.D@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Joe Comartin, M.P.
Comartin.J@parl.gc.ca
Ms. Jean Crowder, M.P.
Crowder.J@parl.gc.ca
Ms. Libby Davies, M.P.
Davies.L@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Yvon Godin, M.P.
Godin.Y@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Peter Julian, M.P.
Julian.P@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Jack Layton, …
Layton.J@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Pat Martin, M.P.
Martin.Pd@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Brian Masse, M.P.
Masse.B@parl.gc.ca