.

So today Reuters reported that,  in order to secure votes in Ontario,  Harper was going to offer up $200 million in financial support to General Motors of Canada and Ford Motor Co, of Canada.  

We assume this is peanuts compared to the billions that other Canadian Governments have already dolled out to these boys.  But….

Continue reading “Dear Hard Working Canadian…..”

 Here is an excellent article written by Roy MacMullin.  He stops just short of asking Harper to “tear down the wall!” But does call for a Government Investigation!

http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/403006 

Are Canadians paying too much for their cars?

Continue reading “Saint John Telegraph-Journal confirms CWB findings!”

This afternoon Harper and his boys and girls initiated legislation to change our Canadian National Symbol.  The PQ has been rumored to be supporting the change, but only if  it comes in a bigger size!

Continue reading “Canadian National Symbol to Change!”

 Finally, after many phone calls and e-mails from our members MR. Volpe has replied to one.   We are thankful for the reply, but wonder if he was ever elected and in power how he would perform, given his track record of responding so quickly!! 

(he appears to be only one Julie away.. )

Here is his reply:  volpeletter-jn-5-08

Some  of our feelings on the issues noted in the letter:

• We wonder if Mr. Volpe is aware that the U.S. requires tire pressure sensors.
• We  reject his claim that harmonization has negative attributes because “Canada is an independent country and the United States would be dictating the needs of Canadians.” What utter nonsense. We can choose not to buy U.S. spec. cars but should have the freedom to be able to buy them unencumbered by government regulations that disadvantage Canadian car buyers who pay from 10 to 50% more than Americans for cars at an annual cost of over $5.7 Bilion dollars annually.Having regulations that are different than the U.S. only makes Canadians look foolish. Different Canadian standards are not going to have any impact on U.S. car standards. Our market is just too small. Different standards only cause Canadians to pay more for their cars.-
•  Mr. Volpe states that the extreme Canadian weather requires different safety standards in Canada than in the United States. It is disappointing that the “weather in Canada” card is being played by Mr. Volpe. Being a Toronto MP is no excuse for ignornance that many areas of the U.S. have the extreme weather conditions experienced in Canada. Consider the border states of Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana whose winters are not unlike those of North Western Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Then there is Alaska. Mr. Volpe should realize that the auto manufacturers winter test their vehicles in Northern Manitoba as well as North Dakota.
• Mr. Volpe does not state whether he has a cost/benefit analysis or an examination of the existing stability control systems that presently are in many U.S. spec vehicles. Maybe he could answer the question as to how much Canadians are going to have to pay if his legislation was passed.

We encourage all our members to continue writing Volpe, expressing the need to quickly harmonize our standards.   Bumpers…Bumpers… Tire pressure monitors save lives and reduce greenhouse gasses!(all U.S. maket vehicles have this system) and they still cost 20-30% less!?

The Honourable Joseph Volpe, M.P.
Volpe.J@parl.gc.ca

Fuel costs hit profitable vehicles. Truck-heavy lineups at Detroit’s Big Three hit particularly hard as Japanese rivals gain. 

2008-06-03bgazette.pdf

 GM’s inability to provide their customers with the right solutions will be costing Canadian jobs! 

But see this quote from the article…

“Paterson said GM has not made a final decision on whether to close the Oshawa plant permanently. He said the company would watch market conditions before deciding.

The increased and accelerated shift to cars means GM’s car plant, also in Oshawa, will grow, a source said.”  ……

We wonder how many in millions of $$$$$  in Govt subsidies was given to GM to maintain these jobs over the years?

2008-06-03gazette.pdf  

Here is a very interesting article in the Gazette today.  Rumors that the Deputy-Governor at the Bank of Canada wonders why Canadians don’t take full advantage of lower US retail pricing.  Maybe we need to send a few emails to the Bank of Canada?

Here is a print of the article May 19th, 2008.

Gazette May 19, 2008