No. H 227/07
For release - November 30, 2007
OTTAWA — The Government of Canada is proposing an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (MVSR) to clarify and make it easier for Canadians to import vehicles from the United States built as of September 1, 2007, which are already equipped with an electronic immobilization system or can be fitted with one.
The proposed amendment will be published in the Canada Gazette Part I on December 1, 2007. It would modify section 12 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations as it pertains to importing new vehicles sold in the United States. Interested parties have 15 days to comment. The proposed regulation would take effect shortly after the consultation period.
"Our government is committed to ensuring safety on Canadian roads and highways," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "This amendment will simplify and clarify the process for Canadians importing U.S. vehicles, to ensure those vehicles meet our requirements with respect to anti-theft immobilizers."
As of September 1, 2007, the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations require that all new cars, vans, light trucks and SUVs sold in Canada or imported into Canada come equipped with electronic, anti-theft immobilizers.
Canada requires these systems in response to the public's desire to reduce the trend of thefts for convenience and to protect innocent parties from serious accidents, injury and death.
The proposed amendment will offer more flexibility to Canadians wishing to import vehicles and maintains efforts to ensure safety on our roads. However, before buying a vehicle in the U.S., Canadians should check with the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) about the rules and process for importing vehicles (www.riv.ca).
Transport Canada's Registrar of Imported Vehicles program verifies that new vehicles sold at the retail level in the U.S. and imported for use in Canada meet Canadian safety requirements. Imported vehicles may have to be modified to meet requirements for daytime running lights, child tether anchorage systems and anti-theft immobilization devices.
Questions on duties and taxes on imported goods, including vehicles, should be directed to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at 1-800-461-9999 (in Canada) or 1-506-636-5064 (outside Canada).
While the provincial and territorial governments have jurisdiction for after-market additions to motor vehicles, Transport Canada develops standards and regulations for new vehicles manufactured or imported for use in Canada.
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Contacts:
Karine White
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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