Nov 25
Lawrence Cannon Transcript
OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT TRANSCRIPT
DATE/DATE: November 20, 2007 After Question Period
LOCATION/ENDROIT: House of Commons Foyer, Ottawa
PRINCIPAL(S)/PRINCIPAUX: The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Question: Okay, I have a question about automobiles and bringing them in from the United States. We’re getting calls from dozens of people who say they’ve bought cars in the U.S. These were cars that were on Transport Canada’s admissible list and they found that as soon as they brought them back to Canada, Transport Canada changed the admissible vehicle list on November 1st and now they can’t register their cars.
Hon. Lawrence Cannon: Well, we’re working through the admissible authority that — certainly and my recommendation would be that Canadians verify first. Second of all, we have as of last week instructed the Canadian Border and Inspection Agency to let the owners of these vehicles come through. My colleagues and myself will be looking at ways to straighten out this issue and look at the regulations that should be put in place but until such time I don’t want to comment on the kinds of regulations that we want to correct.
Question: Okay. But you said they should check first. These are people who checked first —
Hon. Lawrence Cannon: Yeah, I know. I corrected —
Question: — the rules now, the admissibility exchange they can’t register their cars.
Hon. Lawrence Cannon: That’s correct. And what we’re asking here is we’re asking Canadians to be patient. We will get to resolve this issue very shortly. My officials are abreast of this issue and we’re working on it.
Question: Can you ensure that people will be able to drive the cars they brought back from the United States?
Hon. Lawrence Cannon: When somebody goes and purchases a car we want to make sure that of course under the prerogative of our Motor Vehicle Act we have to ensure safety and security. That’s the interest that Transport Canada acknowledges here. And so I’ll be working with my colleagues to make sure that that happens. But I do want to reassure Canadians that have purchased these vehicles that we are working on it and we will do the necessary due diligence to correct the issue.
November 25th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Another Rona Ambrose fiasco in the making, I expect this from angular saxons not pur lain Quebecers. Where is Mulroney now when we need him or even Bryce Mackasey or Eric Kierans real politicians not mealy mouthed cretins.
November 26th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
The supervisor at RIV who assured me my 2008 Sienna would be admissable finally returned my call.
Sounds like people affected by the Nov 1st change to the RIV list have their files “on hold” until
RIV hears from Transprot Canada. Her guess was that it would be 2 more weeks before TC had any definitive news
news….
November 27th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Why is our government so slow? Are they studding and drawing up study groups and brainstorming solutions to this fiasco?
How stupid can these people be? I am tired of being a sheeple, i’m tired of the governments fingers in every cookie jar. They have too much time on their hands and don’t know what to do with it.
Canadians should be as angry with our idiotic government as they are with car manufacturers.
November 27th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
This is beyond ridiculous. Lawrence Cannon should just declare FMVSS114 to be acceptable in Canada and fire the entire team of motor safety idiots who don’t know their asses form their elbows. They’re a useless waste of taxpayer money as it is. If he does this quickly he *may* be able to save himself politically. (No, two weeks is not quick.) Can you say Rona Ambrose?
November 30th, 2007 at 10:59 am
I just got off the phone with Pierre O Tremblay (Chief, Import and Audit Inspection) with Transport Canada, and he says the decision won’t be released until Dec. 19th. I’m not sure if I can wait any longer. Can I export my truck now into the US or am I stuck until this decision?
November 30th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Michael, I’m happy you were actually able to speak to Pierre temblay. He has avoided returing my three messages this week and a written submission last week.
A decision wont be released until Dec 19. Does that mean they know what the decision is now but are waiting so people will continue to suffer in limbo or does it mean they still have their heads up their beaurocratic you know what’s and think they can figre something out by Dec 19.
December 2nd, 2007 at 12:14 pm
I hope that Transport Canada will resolve the entire policy of whether Canadians are entitled under the
law and under the Free Trade Agreements to purchase cars in the U.S. and bring them to Canada.
The question of anti-theft devices is only a susidiary question. I wish to buy anHonda Accord and
learn from the RIV listing that only Accords manufactured before September 1, 2007 are admissible. Of
course almost all cars manufatured before September 1 are sold by this time and those that are not
are manufactured in Japan so that duties must be paid to import them into Canada. This is not
a solution tothe impoortation policy. It is a ruse. A trick. A catch 22. I hope Transport Canada
will not fall for it.
December 10th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Come on, Canadians, let’s not get boggled down by these silly rules
invented by our government to screw us. Are we paying for these
bureaucrats to sit around and make life miserable for us??
Forget all these trivial legal technicalities. NAFTA is NAFTA.
Free Trade means Free Trade. Open up the borders and let us buy cars
in the U.S., period.
December 11th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
What has transpired over the past months among the various car manufacturers and Transport Canada. Transport Canada should copy
Cars without borders and we will therefore be able to determine how the final decision is reached on the acceptability of the Immobilizers and/or safety features.
Is it time for Government of Canada Form TBC 350-57 Access to Information?
December 26th, 2007 at 1:24 am
This immobilizer issue is just Canadian Car Dealers looking for any excuse to deter cross border shopping. If you know anything about buying cars, you already know that they, with very few exceptions are the sleaziest bunch of con artists still legally operating. Unfortunately, they operate with the blessing of Transport Canada aka The Canadian Government. Namely, a few key ministers. (I thought they kicked out all the corrupt ones recently)! I have read all the related issues regarding immobilizers. It is a complicated issue designed to confuse a normal person like me, and to allow our government to back the powerful (campaign contributing) automakers. I do not like being railroaded by automakers or my elected government. We the Canadian public (the voters) are not really that stupid, I vote for a government to protect my rights and freedoms. If I do not get the respect and service that I require from my electoral choice, I will change that choice next time. It is the right I am allowed, for paying a lifetime of taxes and fighting for my countries flag during two armed conflicts. If I choose to drive past six or seven crooked Honda dealerships on my way down to the United States to save $7500 on my next car a Honda Accord, Then I hope Canada Customs (The Canadian Government) will respect NAFTA and allow me to make my own choices.
January 5th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Honesty is the best policy - when there is money in it.
February 28th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Phenomenal post in respect to Lawrence Cannon Transcript. Your blogging is why I consistiently visit your website. Rock on!
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:06 am
Nice idea and good transcript.
Should I assume that you were not able to ask any more questions before he ended the conversation?
Did you try asking him what he means about safety when the cars from the US are essentially the same minus day time running lights?
Did you ask if he means the safety of the local car market or citizens on the road?
Not to be sarcastic but I’m wondering if he made it impossible to ask harder questions or tried to avoid you?
Good job
March 24th, 2008 at 8:07 am
jdmvip.com
Mr Cannon transcript were back in November 07 - when we had thousands of cars blocked at the border or in Canada but unable to license. Thanks for reading and please sign the petition and write to your MP.
Serge