An open letter to the Government of Manitoba
A while ago I drafted up a letter to send to the Government of Manitoba about how poorly they are treating grey imports in Manitoba. It's summer, and I haven't heard any valuable response. Needless to say, I'm disappointed, but now I'm opening up this letter to all of you to send to your MLA and anyone you think should read it.
You should send it to:
Hon. Steve Ashton, Minister of Transport: minmit@leg.gov.mb.ca
Hon. Andrew Swan, in charge of MPI: minjus@leg.gov.mb.ca
Your MLA, found here.
I have prepared a coverletter for you to use, just replace all the 'your name' to... your name. Ideally print it out and snail mail it, but email is just as effective.
The technical document is here in PDF form, and HTML form.
Here's the original coverletter for your entertainment.
Attention Honourable Steve Ashton, Honourable Andrew Swan, and Ms. Marilyn Brick
Regarding Grey Imports and Safety in Manitoba
There has been a noticeable increase in the number of grey imports Manitoba and Canada as a whole. Manitoba laws require that compliance items are completed to allow the vehicle to be on the road. These laws are in place to make the vehicle more safe, but the laws regarding compliance items for these vehicles is outdated. The requirements that MPI and Manitoba has in place for Grey imports does not make the vehicles safer, but in fact makes them less safe.
Attached you will find a detailed report of the current situation, and some suggestions for making requirements simpler for these vehicles, which will also make the vehicle safer. It details how other provinces that have larger numbers of grey imports has dealt with the situation, and suggests that Manitoba take the same approach as British Columbia has taken, which is to simplify and clarify requirements - focusing on important and relevant safety items.
One of the problems with the current compliance requirements, is that the requirements are confusing and are often unknown to or misunderstood by safety inspection stations, law enforcement officers and the owners of the vehicles. Adopting a simple set of requirements would ensure important safety items are addressed and easily enforced. Accepting a simple set of easy to understand requirements would ensure that grey import vehicles meet these requirements, making the vehicles suitable for Manitoba roads, thereby making roads safer.
If there is any questions about anything in the attached documents, I would be happy to discuss it with you.
Regards,
Robert Guderian
Enlc: Grey Imports in Manitoba - Clarifying Requirements to Make Manitoba Roads Safer
September 1st, 2011 - 17:50
Was in at CT on regent the other day. The manager “Garry” insists that it is now “illegal” to safety RHD vehicles. He said he has a memo from DVL to prove it, and that they will not pass a RHD vehicle.
I advised him that as far as I know, a memo doesn’t change the law….
Steve