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Recent News
  • 09.07.2007
    ICBC recently commissioned and published a study titled "The Safety of Right-Hand-Drive Vehicles in British Columbia." This study claims that right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles are 40% more likely to be involved in an accident. According to an ICBC spokesman, they endeavored to eliminate any bias in the study. However, IVOAC and CAVI believe ICBC's actions themselves are part of a calculated smear campaign intended to discredit RHD vehicle drivers and discourage individuals from purchasing imported used vehicles - especially those who would rather do so themselves than going through Government sanctioned car lots.
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  • 02.13.2007
    CAVI writes to the Hon. Lawrence Cannon, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities imploring him not to sign off on a request by officials in his department to implement changes to the 15 year rule before stakeholder consultation takes place.
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  • 01.19.2007
    Transport Canada is now preparing documentation to change the 15 year rule to 25 years, which will be submitted for ministerial approval. The anticipated timeframe for submission of the documentation to the minister's office is spring 2007.
    read more
 About Us

A look at the Canadian Association of Vehicle Importers

CAVI was formed to ensure that the interests of those involved in supplying the marketplace with products and services outside the scope of major manufacturers is reflected in the laws and regulations covering such activities. All Canadians share an interest in the benefits of a safe, economical and efficient vehicle transportation system. Frequently, however, some of the most effective vehicle solutions of the highest quality products have not originated in North America. CAVI believes that if Canadians are to be faced with world prices for energy while making meaningful contributions towards protecting our global environment, they should be allowed access to vehicle choices from around the world. Furthermore, these goals need not conflict with the need for reasonable levels of public safety regulation.

  • CAVI’s Vision

    To ensure Canadians are afforded the widest possible range of choices for meeting their vehicle needs.

  • Mission

    CAVI’s mission is to ensure that the needs of the motoring public are not overlooked when laws and regulations affecting vehicle operators are being implemented

Accountability

CAVI is accountable to those involved in the importation and distribution of vehicles and associated components, and makes recommendations to the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Deputy Ministers and Ministers responsible for Highways and Transportation Safety.

Strategic Goals and Objectives

  • To review existing legislation and regulations to ensure that the needs of stakeholders are not being unnecessarily deprived as a result of being poorly conceived or inconsistently applied.
  • To raise awareness of impending changes which may threaten the existing rights of stakeholders from enjoying the widest possible range of vehicle choices
  • To work with agencies responsible for researching, proposing and implementing current and planned legislation which limits the choices of vehicle operators by ensuring that:
    • All applicable rules and regulations represent the minimum level necessary to ensure that the overall integrity of the highway transportation system is maintained or enhanced.
    • That any proposed changes be well researched to ensure that any impact on the freedom of Canadians to choose their vehicle options are limited to the minimum necessary.
    • To propose alternative approaches to achieving the specific stated goals of agencies responsible for public safety.
  • To ensure that the changing needs of Canadians for vehicle transportation are understood and voiced in a way that is responsible and effective with the goal of expanding the widest possible range of choices.

No one questions the notion that it was imported vehicles, principally supplied from Japan that changed the face of driving in North America for the better. Ironically, current changes being proposed by the CCMTA would prevent vehicles far newer and improved over those original imports from reaching our shores. CAVI is concerned that if stakeholders are not sufficiently involved in the regulatory process, they will be deprived of very effective vehicle alternatives. Therefore, CAVI is working to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities for all stakeholders in encouraging an efficient marketplace for the supply of vehicles that meet the needs of drivers in a safe, efficient and economical manner. If you believe that cho