Fight for the Right!
A new challenger appears!
Since Quebec has banned right hand drive cars, there has been a lot of stir. The latest movement is on the part of Dominique Poirier, a fellow right hand driver. He has recently founded the Vehicle Choice Freedom Foundation to fight the change that Quebec has made. Dom has been part of the fight for a long time, but this is a solid rallying point for Quebec RHDers.
He's organizing a rally on September 6th (Labour Day) and all Quebec RHD drivers and supporters should head out to support the cause.
Dom: Thanks for creating a rallying point for our common cause. We're all behind you.
Somewhat related
I thought this was odd.... someone posted a link to my site on the CNet forums. It looks 1/2 like spam, 1/2 like a cudos. I'm flattered either way. I just REALLY like the title: Speakeasy: Quebec, so left wing they won't even allow Right Hand Drive. I don't even think it makes sense... but it's awesome.
Site news
Other news: Site is back up. The cable internet connection at my new place was totally fubar'd. There'll be spotty service until my servers settle into their permanent spots in the house. Bear with me during these changes.
Delica Meetup in BC
I can only approve of this. I'm glad to see people getting together and enjoying their Right Hand Drives. AMAZING photos on the site helps too! Cudos to Delica.ca's members for organizing this and sharing!
rob
PEI – Reading the News Brief
I've been re-reading the News Brief and it seems that RHDs are not outright banned.
Once legislation is passed, right-hand-drive vehicles will have to meet Canadian Motor Vehicles Safety Standards in order to be registered. Vehicles that have already been registered in the province can continue to be used.
By the sounds of this, the legislation has not passed (but likely will) and existing RHDs are ok. By the sounds if it there will not be an all-out ban.
I know that my 1990 Daihatsu Hijet does not have a catalytic converter, so might not pass emissions test. My friend's 92 Hijet does, and likely would pass.
I don't know how private insurance works, since I live in a province with public insurance. I'll keep doing some research to find out more about the proposed legislation.
rob
Right hand drives banned from PEI
Another province has fallen. PEI has banned right hand drive vehicles.
All 30 of them in the province. Here is the release from the Government of PEI.
No word what will happen with the RHDs that have been banned. Quebec allowed the RHDs that were on the road to stay on the road... I don't know if PEI will follow suit. I'll try to find out.
rob
UPDATE: check out the newer post.
Quebec perminently bans Right Hand Drives
It's happened.
It's official.
The moratorium on right hand drives in Quebec has become permanent.
The post is here, or if you speak French.
This is clearly a blow to the Canadian right hand drive society. Current owners are grandfathered yet again, but no new cars will be allowed to be registered.
All we can do now is petition the Quebec government to overturn it, or Canadian government to overrule it.
rob
edit: updated links
CADA anti-Right Hand Drive Propaganda
Propaganda is a strong word, but that's the only thing I can call this. CADA, the Canadian Automobile Dealer Association, has obvious reasons to not like right hand drive vehicles. RHDs are great value and cut into their bottom line. You can buy a new Skyline for.... $99000... depending on your options, or a 95 that's with some performance modifications and low mileage for $12000 or less.
The propaganda in question is this pamphlet. It outlines how these cars are unsafe and don't pass safety standards. Of course, they have no backing for this data and it's all very one sided. Which is why I define it as propaganda. There are no real strong arguments here, just statements. This is amplified by the fact that the backing is CADA, an association that is designed to make money.
I should mention that I don't know when this was published, since they don't cite a date. If they would have cited sources for information and data, we could try to pin down approximately when it came out... but unfortunately they do no such thing.
I honestly don't know why they're so up in arms about it. I don't think people that are interested in specialty cars such as RHDs are likely to by a car from a dealer. New or used. They should accept the change, and maybe even get into the market! Why not! They're complaining that they're losing sales, while ignoring a new market.
Thought I'd share this, as food for thought.
rob
edit: updated price of Nissan GT-R (aka... skyline) to CAD price off website. My estimate of $44k was apparently off by more than 100%.