Does the government still have to bring the automobile back on the hot seat?
In a world where huge decisions are being made regarding the future of our planet and our Canadian auto industry, the federal government has to use all of its shrewdness and subtlety not to offend the radical environmentalists, on one hand, and not delivering a solid blow (let alone a lethal uppercut) to one of our most important industries in terms of economic repercussions, on the other hand. After all, more than 800,000 direct jobs are at stake here.
Last October 4 and 5, all the major players in the industry gathered in Ottawa to talk about the environment with the government. They were in
the nation's capital to explain how the industry never stops to improve the technologies that allow cars to reduce their consumption and to burn fuel more efficiently. The representatives actually had a clear message to send to the government. While appearing less arrogant than the president of the Canadian Auto Workers union, Buzz Hargrove, they told the government to start looking beyond the auto industry, because there are many other companies that pollute more and more each year.
John Clark IV, chairman of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), was highly involved in the negotiations, held during the 2006 Auto Days. "We expressed our point of view and we made them fully understand the effects of their decisions. We showed the government everything the auto industry has done in recent years to protect the environment. It's important that they clearly understand all the issues before adopting any regulations on CO2 emissions like the one in California, which would have a disastrous economic impact if adopted here," he said.
According to the auto industry, the best solution is to refresh the vehicle fleets in Canada. Cars manufactured before 1987 are at the core of the problem. For example, experts say a 1970 sedan creates 100 times more pollution than a 2006 model!
Mr. Clark was right when he said that implementing a CO2 standard similar to California could affect our economy. About 87 percent of Canadian-built vehicles could no longer be sold in our own market. Now that's an alarming scenario!
When talking about the auto industry in Canada, one has to remember that there are 29 vehicles manufactured here. In the advent of a restrictive measure against the automakers, our economy associated with this market would falter and, in the end, there would be little benefit for the environment. Here's a list, in alphabetical order, of all the models being produced in Canada: Acura CSX, Acura MDX, Buick Allure, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Chevrolet Silverado, Chrysler 300/300C, Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Charger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Magnum, Ford Crown Victoria, Ford Edge, Ford Freestar, GMC Sierra, Honda Civic coupe, Honda Civic sedan, Honda Pilot, Honda Ridgeline, Lexus RX 350, Lincoln MKX, Mercury Grand Marquis, Pontiac Grand Prix, Pontiac Torrent, Suzuki XL-7, Toyota Matrix and Toyota Corolla.
In a world where huge decisions are being made regarding the future of our planet and our Canadian auto industry, the federal government has to use all of its shrewdness and subtlety not to offend the radical environmentalists, on one hand, and not delivering a solid blow (let alone a lethal uppercut) to one of our most important industries in terms of economic repercussions, on the other hand. After all, more than 800,000 direct jobs are at stake here.
Last October 4 and 5, all the major players in the industry gathered in Ottawa to talk about the environment with the government. They were in
 |
| John Clark IV, owner John Clark Chevrolet, in Fredericton, and chairman of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), said he remained hopeful after the 48-hour talks with the Harper government. |
John Clark IV, chairman of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), was highly involved in the negotiations, held during the 2006 Auto Days. "We expressed our point of view and we made them fully understand the effects of their decisions. We showed the government everything the auto industry has done in recent years to protect the environment. It's important that they clearly understand all the issues before adopting any regulations on CO2 emissions like the one in California, which would have a disastrous economic impact if adopted here," he said.
According to the auto industry, the best solution is to refresh the vehicle fleets in Canada. Cars manufactured before 1987 are at the core of the problem. For example, experts say a 1970 sedan creates 100 times more pollution than a 2006 model!
Mr. Clark was right when he said that implementing a CO2 standard similar to California could affect our economy. About 87 percent of Canadian-built vehicles could no longer be sold in our own market. Now that's an alarming scenario!
When talking about the auto industry in Canada, one has to remember that there are 29 vehicles manufactured here. In the advent of a restrictive measure against the automakers, our economy associated with this market would falter and, in the end, there would be little benefit for the environment. Here's a list, in alphabetical order, of all the models being produced in Canada: Acura CSX, Acura MDX, Buick Allure, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Chevrolet Silverado, Chrysler 300/300C, Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Charger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Magnum, Ford Crown Victoria, Ford Edge, Ford Freestar, GMC Sierra, Honda Civic coupe, Honda Civic sedan, Honda Pilot, Honda Ridgeline, Lexus RX 350, Lincoln MKX, Mercury Grand Marquis, Pontiac Grand Prix, Pontiac Torrent, Suzuki XL-7, Toyota Matrix and Toyota Corolla.