Dec 15
Federal Eco rebates - not for imported cars
CBC The National (Dec 14) piece on Eco-Rebates from the federal government yesterday. Federal officials claim the rebate up to $2,000 is not given to imported hybrid cars or other low gas consumption cars because the government is not able to ascertain that the imported car is truly NEW. We all know the real reason.. (part of the blockade) This is another one that we have to go after later.
December 15th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
It was on the CBC National News last night.
December 15th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Thanks Mike - I listened to it (around minute 16) and will try to get the stream to post. Good story of a Camry purchase but no Eco-Rebate
December 15th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
The ironic thing is that (in some cases) we are forced to buy used because the American dealers are not allowed to sell us new vehicles! Isn’t that a hoot.
December 15th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
I see a terrific opportunity here for an entrepreneur to start importing pre-September 1st vehicles from the USA.
Of course, if I were to do this, I;d ensure that I retro fitted all of them with immobilizers … just to make a point
December 16th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Just a thought on the eco rebates not being offered on imported cars from the US. The government does not get to tax the manufacturer or earn taxes from the Canadian dealer on these sales - so no rebate.
Before I am flamed I also want to bring a truck in from the US so I do support the stand of being able to buy in North America for the cheapest price as the manufacturers can take advantage of NAFTA so should I be able.
December 16th, 2007 at 9:55 am
The government is collecting taxes from the consumer on these vehicles. We paid GST at the border…and if we ever get our plates we will be required to pay PST at that time.
December 16th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I thought the purpose of this Eco rebate program is to encourage people to use echo freindly vehicles. So, does it matter if the vehicle is brought brand new or used as long as it is new to this country?
And most bizzare thing is that the government does not hesitate to chrage us VEI Exercise Tax (Vehicle Effeciency Incentive Exercise Tax) if we import a gas guzzling vehicle. So where is the justice when the things are other way around? Are those officials envious of us trying to save little money or are they downright stupid?
December 17th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
I find it hard to understand Transport Canada’s reasoning for excluding imported cars: “they are unable to conclusively prove the car is new if it is imported” (or something to that effect)
If the idea is that the gov’t agrees not to take our money (by giving back some of the tax we pay to it!) as an incentive to encourage us to buy eco-friendly cars (which is good for Canada and humanity in general), then what could it possibly matter if the car is new or used? Shouldn’t everyone who buys one of these cars also receive the same benefit? How does the used car driver differ from the new car driver if the purpose is to get us to buy eco-friendly cars? Does the car magically stop being eco-friendly when it is sold one year later? What about one month later?
If new eco-friendly car buyers get part of their tax back, then, when you pay your tax on a used eco-friendly car, you should be entitled to some of that tax back too. After all, the gov’t has no problem taking taxes on the used car sale so why should they have a problem giving some of it back to you? That is the whole intent of the incentive. (Which is to reward the buyer for putting and keeping more eco-friendly cars on the road, isn’t it?)
Maybe I’m missing something about this new/used division? let me know if I am.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Doesn’t the MSO prove that the previous owner was the manufacture,and when your
vechile does get plated,the Provincial Authorities keep the MSO,so Transport
Canada could verify if they wanted.