Statement made on 12 May 2010 by Senator Terry Mercer
Hon. Terry M. Mercer:
Honourable senators, I am afraid I will not be as entertaining as Senator Baker, but of course not many of us are.
Honourable senators, it is a pleasure for me to rise today to speak to second reading of Bill S-5, an act to amend the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. As Senator MacDonald has aptly and in detail given you much information surrounding this bill, I will not speak for long on this subject.
Honourable senators, the basic premise of the bill concerns the importation of used vehicles into Canada from Mexico. We are told the reason for this bill is so that Canada can bring itself into line with its obligations under NAFTA. As a result, certain provisions must be changed in the two acts previously mentioned in order that these vehicles meet our stringent rules on the environment and safety.
I think all honourable senators can all agree that we want to continue to protect the environment and the safety of all Canadians.
We have gone through this process before as we had to bring ourselves in line with similar provisions with the United States. Now it is Mexico's turn.
In the current Motor Vehicle Safety Act, there are provisions that allow for the importation of used vehicles that do not live up to Canadian standards from the United States on the condition that the buyer declares at registration that the vehicle has been improved to meet our standards. The buyer must prove this when he or she attempts to register the vehicle for use. Bill S-5 contains similar provisions for vehicles from Mexico.
The changes contained in Bill S-5 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act acts in the same way. Both amendments contained in Bill S-5 provide for the creation of the regulations required to meet both safety and environmental standards. It is important to note that we are not talking about the importation of new vehicles or even parts. We are talking about older vehicles.
Honourable senators, how many vehicles can we expect to come into Canada as a result of this bill? I am told minimal to none. Thus, my first thought was why are acting so quickly. Several other questions have evolved from my discussions with officials. What are the levels of environmental standards for those types of cars in Canada as compared to those in the United States and Mexico? What differences, if any, exist? What are the similarities and differences in safety standards?
I have other questions regarding other countries and the number of used vehicles we import from them. I have questions concerning the rules surrounding such imports. One group pushing for these changes is the Imported Vehicle Owners Association of Canada. I can only hope that they will be contacted and asked to appear before our committee. I would also like to hear how the changes to these acts will affect the provincial regulations as the provinces are responsible for the registration of all vehicles. We are told that they have no problems with the changes, but it would still be interested to hear what they would have to do.
Honourable senators, I am optimistic as to the answers to these various questions I have concerning this bill. For that reason, I support passing the bill for second reading in order that it can be studied by the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications.