Jan 22
Canada’s first Motor Vehicle Fuel consumption regulations: Consultations begins
Minister Cannon introduces CANADA’S FIRST MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL CONSUMPTION REGULATIONS: read details:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2008/08-h006e.htm
NEW POLL for CWB members only - give your opinion
http://www.carswithoutborders.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=45
Is this GOOD for Canadians or BAD - GO vote on the forum
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:59 pm
The Minster must try to see that the cars cost equal to or less than the US cars for each year inclusding the current and till the year 2011 and beyond, before making promises to adding new technology to cars to reduce GHG. This must be the benchmark. Can they have a cost target before asking manufacturers of vehicles to do more. Let the US / Japan / Europe market do the development where they have many more cars, and let us buy their cars US/ Japan and Europe cars. why waste time and excessive efforts in the excessive consultation process. Why not just drive at 60 mph or 80 mph as the highway limit and save gas plus ghg than having to drive at 100 mph . Give a big tax beak to those who use the slower roads and drive slow, than those who use the highways and speed at 100 mph or more. or to oil exploration tax rebates. Tar Sands is there. why waste our national reserves driving at 100 0r 120.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:55 am
AS POSTED IN FORUM POLL ON CANADIAN FUEL CONSUMPTION REGULATIONS
Canadians on this site have been requesting [b]HARMONIZATION[/b] of motor vehicle regulation with the U.S.in order to eliminate the advantage that motor vehicle manufacturers have over Canadian motor vehicle purchasers who wish to benefit from the lower prices of motor vehicles in the United States.
MADE-IN-CANADA FUEL CONSUMPTION REGULATIONS as referred to by the Minister means that the Minister is listening to his Transport Canada Road Safety Officials who in the past have not acted in the best interests of Canadians.
MADE-IN-CANADA FUEL CONSUMPTION REGULATION as referred to by the Minister means that Canadians can expect more of the same Transport Canada Road Safety policies and administrative practices that benefit the auto manufacturers by creating non-tariff barriers that prevent Canadians from purchasing motor vehicles in the United States without impediments established by Transport Canada.
Notwihstanding the window dressing in the Press Relaease of the Minister which states [quote]”The federal government will monitor closely the work of the U.S. government, towards establishing an environmentally ambitious North American regulatory standard for cars and light-duty trucks.”, it would appear that the decision has already been made…..”The regulations will prescribe a standard that will be designed to [b]maximize[/b] the environmental and [b]economic benefits for Canada[/b].” [/quote] Economic benefits for Canada means auto jobs which annually costs Canadian motor vehicle purchasers in excess of $5 BILLION per year for new vehicles. In addition premium prices are paid by Canadians for used vehicles and motor vehicle parts.
The Press Release states:
[quote]”The United States Congress has set an ambitious target of 35 miles per gallon — or 6.7 litres/100 kilometres — for the average fuel economy of vehicles sold in 2020,” explained Minister Cannon. “We welcome the U.S. goal, but are committed to developing made-in-Canada standards that achieve — at minimum — that same target in Canada. The consultations ahead will be key to delivering the standard. Put simply, this means that the government will regulate by the 2011 model year. By 2020, the average new vehicle sold in Canada will have a fuel consumption better than some of today’s hybrid cars, and produce fewer GHG emissions, than approximately 93 per cent of all vehicle entries listed in the 2008 Fuel Consumption Guide. I am very proud to start this historic regulatory process.” [/quote]
I expect that the foregoing statement means lip service will be paid the what the U.S. is doing………as Transport Canada is [quote]”committed ot developing made-in-Canada standards that achieve - at minimum - that same target in Canada.” [/quote]If the target is more stringent than the U.S. EPA standard for 2011, the auto manufacturers will have used the strong environmental lobby to their advantage. What the stakeholders including environmentalists should keep in mind is that less expensive motor vehicles in Canada will result in people driving newer and more fuel efficient vehicles.
[b]It would be appreciated if http://www.carswithoutborders.com publishes a draft response to the request of the Minister of Transport for the views of interested parties on or before February 28, 2008 so that CWB members can provide their comments on the CWB draft.
What political action is CWB suggesting that members take individually or CWB taking as a group with respect to this initative of Transport Canada. [/b]
Do Canadian politicians pursue made-in-Canada policies in the belief that they will demonstrate to the U.S. government that Canada is a sovereign nation or do the Canadian politicians need an excuse to deceive Canadians with respect to the real reason for adopting a “made-in-Canada” policies….to protect the $5 BILLION that the motor vehicle manufacturers extract from Canadians and dividend out of their Canadian subsidiaries which $5 BILLION yields no economic benefit to Canada.
In 2005, the vehicle suppliers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to reduce GHG emissions from cars and light trucks by 5.3 million tonnes in 2010. Why have the Transport Canada officials determined that a regulation is now required with its attendant costs and problems that have been evidenced with other motor vehicle regulations.
Can Canadian believe that [quote]”The motor vehicle fuel consumption regulations will be consistent with the spirit of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America to develop regulatory approaches that are compatible across our borders and reduce the effects of climate change and air pollution, while fuelling the North American economy. In August 2007, Security and Prosperity Partnership leaders specifically agreed to explore ways to cooperate on national auto fuel efficiency standards.”[/quote]? I believe that the interests of the auto manufacturers will supercede those of Canadians motor vehicle purchasers and the foregoing statement is more window dressing from Transport Canada.
Can someone tell me what if the following Transport Canada statement means that the options have been determined and limited to those that will benefit the auto manufacturers and not the Canadian motor vehicle purchaser:
[quote]”Options for a Canadian Standard
The Government of Canada policy for the development of the Canadian standard was outlined in the Regulatory Framework for Air Emissions, released on April 26, 2007. This policy document broadly defines the options to be considered for fuel consumption standards in Canada and clarifies that the standard will be designed to maximize Canada’s environmental and economic benefits.
The level of the standard will be determined through the normal regulatory process. No decision has yet been made on the general format of a Canadian standard. In general, however, the standard will be specified for fuel consumption, retaining established test procedures, and will be compatible with the U.S. federal approach to fuel economy standards. The Canadian standard will also be prescribed under the MVFCSA and will apply to each manufacturer or importer of vehicles sold in Canada. “[/quote]
January 23rd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I like the idea of having a higher average fuel economy but I hope this doesn’t become another reason why US vehicles cannot be imported into Canada. It would be great if the US and Canada could adopt the same standards for fuel economy along with bumpers, electronic immobilizers and whatever else they can think of to mess with the “Free Trade Agreement” so trade is not free flowing. Vehicle standards is not a good way to establish Canada as a sovereign and distinct nation from the USA.