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In case you were wondering  what kind of cars are being the most imported into Canada.  Well here is a list of 6 companies and how the 2010 1st Quarter imports compare to the 1st Quarter 2009.   It’s going up boys and girls - going up even with all those hurdles.

Today the  Canwest follow-up story to the 3 part series concerning the Bathhurst tragedy focuses on Transport Canada’s lack of leadership and its inability to adopt CSA standards to protect human lives on our roads.

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has been after Transport Canada to adopt school-bus transportion standards that they had spent years working on.

Spokesman Ron Campbell stated “The CSA  wouldn’t have gone into this if we felt those vans were providing the safety that was needed”  , he went onto state “I don’t understand why, after the Bathhurst tragedy, this hasn’t been changed”.

It appears that Transport Canada - sticks its head in the sand as Canadian Citizens die needlessly on our roads.  How much time and $$$ have Ford lobbyists spent in the offices of Transport Canada.

John Baird mintc@tc.gc.ca , Lawrence Cannon….. same fishy smell,  different name.

Since Ford is appearing to be bouncing back, promoting  a new stable of safety focused cars maybe they should either spend some time and funds to modify the Vans to the CSA standard or just stop production.

For full story: 2009-09-10gazette.pdf

Almost two years after the tragic accident that took the lives of 7 New Brunswick high school athletes Transport Canada continues to dodge the public and has not followed any of the major safety recommendations that were adopted by an inquest into the accident.

 CanWest has  let one of it’s top reporters, Richard Foot,  out on a 3-part story concerning the accident, the repercussions and the inactions of Transport Canada and all levels of Govts in Canada to protect Canadian citizens.

The 15  Passenger Ford van - referred to as a “death trap” has been “outlawed” in the United States for several years, yet only Quebec and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick has enacted laws to ban the use of these vehicles to transport school children.

Transport Canada won’t even respond to requests from  Canwest reporter Richard Foot to be interviewed.

Again we see that the “lobby” groups in Ottawa appear to be pulling all the strings.  We wonder when our politicians will wake up and start doing the right things!

The U.S. , despite its  failings in many areas always appears better tuned into consumer safety issues. 

Please take a moment and call or write  your local MP or MPP(MNA).  This 15 Passenger van is a dangerous vehicle and should not be on the road period.

Canwest Articles 2009-09-08

How can Transport Canada expend so much in resources and $$$ to prevent  Canadians from importing cars that meet U.S. safety standards, when such serious life taking issues remain unattended. 

One of our members sent in the following cost comparison on a Lincoln MKT. It appears that with the employee discount, The Lincoln MKT Eco Boost AWD is cheaper in Canada!

It appears that Ford has the “employee discount pricing”  incentive only in Canada.  Although if Americans have clunckers they can save up to an additional $4500. 

Despite the Employee Pricing Discount, the difference would be minimal.  Ford seems to have established their pricing models with a 90 cent loonie.   Congratulations Ford,  Thanks for being fair to Canadians!

Thanks Big 3 for continuing to screw the Canadian Automobile Consumer!!  Thanks Canadian Govt. for your total lack of transparency in this matter. 

Oh to be a big 3  lobbyist, sitting in my office in Ottawa plotting out how to screw Canadian Consumers.  

Christmas bonuses must be good this year!