We Canadians have a habit of sitting back and taking it. Let's try and do something about this as a community. Here's all the info:

"According to Drive Clean test data, 19 year old cars have a failure rate of approximately 50 per cent. Under the old rules, a failing vehicle could obtain a conditional pass for registration renewal on its last emissions test without being fully repaired and would never need to be tested again."

Not only have standards already been tightened, but they will be tightened further as per below:

Drive Clean emissions standards for light-duty vehicles were changed on January 1, 2003, to require 11.5 per cent less vehicle emissions than the most stringent test standards recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). These standards were tightened again by a further 11.5 per cent on January 1, 2005.

This is the benfits we'll get from this change:
Ending the rolling exemption for light-duty vehicles, beginning with the 1988 model years, will result in an increase of approximately 1.1 per cent in emissions reductions as a result of these vehicles continuing to require tests and subsequent repairs if they fail.

1.1% This is a crock!

Here is the "official" info on the changes:

"The ministry is moving ahead now with changes to the Drive Clean program that will begin to increase the focus on vehicles most likely to pollute and strengthen the compliance program. These initial changes start January 1, 2006.

As part of the program review process, the ministry is also consulting through the EBR Registry on a comprehensive package of program changes, both those implemented January 1, 2006 and further proposed changes. The consultation is aimed at ensuring that the future design of the Drive Clean program continues to benefit consumers, our health and our environment.

This package of new and proposed changes can be summarized as follows:

Focusing on vehicles most likely to pollute:
• Two additional newer model years for light duty and heavy duty vehicles exempted (effective January 1, 2006);
• 20 year old rolling exemption of light duty vehicles eliminated. Testing of model years 1988 and newer (effective January 1, 2006; will be implemented January 1, 2009);
• Annual testing for vehicles 12 years old and older (i.e., starting in 2007, 1995 and older vehicles (back to 1988) would require annual testing).

Effective repairs to achieve emissions reductions:
• Increase the repair cost limit from $450 to $600 so that more vehicles can be more fully repaired.

Reducing the Regulatory Burden:
• Eliminate the test requirement for transfer of vehicle ownership between family members and for leasing (buyout by lessee).

Stronger Compliance Program (implementation January 2006 and continuing over time):
• Making regulatory amendments that would strengthen the anti-fraud provisions and make it easier to investigate and prosecute Drive Clean fraud and strengthen enforcement of program requirements (effective January 1, 2006);
• Realigning Smog Patrol resources to focus inspections on high risk transportation sectors such as heavy-duty vehicles, including out of province vehicles, and commercial vehicles such as taxi cabs and other high mileage vehicles; and,
• Safeguarding motorist compliance through an improved information technology platform and implementation of new, robust security features, moving toward elimination of paper certificates.

Modernize test procedures:
• Implement On-Board Diagnostics (OBDII) testing for 1998 and newer light duty vehicles that have OBDII systems as standard equipment.

See link to detailed description of new and proposed program changes.

Purpose of the Proposal:
The purpose of this posting is to provide interested parties with the opportunity to critically review the Drive Clean program’s suite of new and proposed changes as a whole and provide any additional information they feel should be considered by the ministry when assessing these changes for the future of the program.

The comprehensive package of new and proposed changes would continue to focus the program on vehicles most likely to pollute and would achieve additional emissions reductions beyond those possible with the current program.

Other Relevant Information:
In keeping with the Drive Clean program’s commitment to continuous improvement, a program review was planned for 2006-2007. In December 2004, the acceleration of the program review was announced by the government. It began in January 2005, to ensure that the program continues to be effective in helping protect Ontarians’ health and the environment.

The first step in the review was an evaluation of the program by an independent consultant that focused on the following key components of the program: age and type of vehicles tested; vehicle testing technology and methodology; compliance and fraud prevention; and, repair effectiveness. Their final report included an examination of best practices in other jurisdictions with vehicle inspection and maintenance programs, and provided an assessment of improvement options for the program. The Ministry then conducted an internal review assessing feasibility, cost and implementation issues related to the consultant’s recommended improvement options.

The science-based review identified that the Drive Clean program is achieving reductions in smog-causing pollutants from on-road light duty and heavy duty vehicles. The review identified additional emissions reductions can be achieved by the program into the future by implementing a range of program improvements.

The January 1, 2006 changes to age of vehicles to be tested are referenced in MTO’s O. Reg. 628 under the Highway Traffic Act. Stronger compliance measures are referenced in MOE’s O. Reg. 361 under the Environmental Protection Act.

Other Public Consultation:
Meetings will be held with the Minister’s Multi-stakeholder Advisory Committee and Drive Clean Focus Group (representing Drive Clean Facilities).

Comments should be directed to the following Contact Person:
Christopher Paulin, Senior Program Advisor
Drive Clean
40 St. Clair Ave. W.
Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1M2
PHONE: (416) 314-0375 FAX: (416) 314-4160

Additional material in support of this notice is available by clicking the following hyperlink(s):
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/en.../PA05E0019.pdf

All comments will be considered as part of the decision-making by the Ministry if they:
are submitted in writing;
reference the EBR Registry number; and
are received by the Contact person within the specified comment period"

EBR Registry Number: PA05E0019 Type of Posting: Policy
Ministry: Environment Status of Posting: Proposal
Date Proposal Loaded: 2005/11/18
Comment Period: 60 day(s)
Written submissions may be made between November 18, 2005 and January 17, 2006.

Let's step up and get writing!

 

awesome, i'll get in on this

 

Is there an email address or only a regular mail address? We should send something to the environment minister too.

 

The elimination of the 'rolling exemption' is going to kill us, plain and simple. But, not because our cars couldn't pass. We're going to be paying dearly for our modifications.

What is ridiculous is that the percentage of 20+ year old cars still rolling on a daily basis is very small, and I question the environmental impact of those vehicles compared to the rest. Most of those cars are enthusiast vehicles and targeting them seems more like another slap in the face to the car scene.

With all the problem areas of the drive-clean system coming to light, especially those that question the accuracy of the tests from station to station, I can't believe that the solution is 'let's have more tests'.

This isn't going to hurt us people with FB's till 2009, but the FC guys are going to get hit hard.

 

especially those of us with an '88 and '89

 

Agreed...this is stupid. Not only that but having cars between 1988 and 1995 being tested annually is going to hit a large number of lower income families pretty hard. This crap isn't cheap and a lot of people out there are driving 92 or 93 model cars simply because they can't afford anything else.

And i dont think this is going affect the FB guys. From what i gathered the 20 year exemption is going to be eliminated for 1988 models and up. If this is in fact true, then the s5 and FD guys are going to get slammed by this.

 

so, those of us with 87's.. what does this mean?

 

I re-read it. Wankel is right, the 20 year excemption will only apply to cars 1988 or newer. I guess us people with an 87 or older are safe, no matter what...for now.

 

i see a phone number posted, i think ill be phoning it till i get to talk to someone. i dont care how long it takes

 

means I'ms crewed witih my 10ae and s5 vert..

wtf!

anyone want to trade, my 10ae for their 87 TII?

 

could i lowball you to a 91 tercel?lol

 

LOL. Would it hurt to keep ur 10ae parked untill next year? I think these laws are stupidly based off japans emsission laws with is quit frankly ****** stupid b/c calgary is built NOTHING like japan, for one our transit system is pathetic. the LRT excludes half the city, and calgary is built out, not up.

I love how they're starting this at the same tiem they mention that the wealthy and poverty rates are goign up.

 

I couldn't agree more with you...we probably have the laziest government anywhere. Not necessarily the worst or best mind you...just the laziest.

This whole thing reeks of half assed environmental assessments and probably a complete lack of an economic impact study.

 

I didn't post it, but on one of the pages I looked at, it gave to understand that replies had to be in writing. You know the old saying "if it isn't written down, it never happened"...

Evil - At first I read it the same as you - 1987 and newer would be safe. However, I don't believe that's the case when you dig into it. It actually says that only cars 30 yrs old or more will eventually be exempt. I'm not arguing, cause it could be read either way, I'm just saying they left enough room in the fine print to screw over all of us. Even if its not FB guys, I'm still writing because this is just plain stupid.

When Driveclean first came out, they said they stopped at 20 yrs as only 2% of the licenced vehicles on the road were over that age.

How am I supposed to get emission parts, when you already have to send to the US for a simple door handle????

I'm going to send a copy of my letter to McGuinty and my local provincial memberas well. Once I get my letter drafted, I will post it here.

At that time you all have my express permission to plagerize at will. Use my whole letter, or some of it and add your own comments, or whatever.

Just to give you info on what happens in these types of things, here's some info. McGuinty is also closing a coal power plant in Atitokan On on Lake Superior. It was fully refurbished a couple or years ago, and pollutes less than almost all US plants. My stepfather phoned the Mayor there. He told him to write in because they figure for every person who writes, there are several hundred who are also against the initiative and haven't written.

As an aside, the Mayor also said they produce electricty for 2 cents a kilowatt hour, but the Govt forces them to sell it at 10 cents. Several factories ahve already had to close, or limit production because of the high price.

It will take me a couple of days to get the letter written, then I will post it.

Rob

 

How hard will this make it to have fake E-Tests? I bought my S5 N/A with all emissions removed....

 

Who knows? The enforcement and fines and investigation for false certificates is going to increase substantially. Also, you used to be able to bring a photocopy of the etest, and now the original copy is required.

 

From the machines I have worked on, it's very difficult to fake emissions tests. You can't just put in your VIN and run another car. And if there's anything even remotely weird about the test, the machine calls up the government and the guys in black suites show up...

 

What is the rolling exemption and where does it say that it's being eliminated?

 

The rolling exemption means that any car 20 years or older is free from etests.

 

Just wait, I found out some more after prowling around. You've seen this sentence before, but it has a few more ramnifications:

"All cars, 1988 model year and newer, will require emissions testing until they are taken out of service. "

Get that??? UNTIL TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In other words, NEVER exempt - etest forever.

Here is the only way to get around it - READ CAREFULLY:
Specially plated “historic” vehicles and “Year of Manufacture” plated vehicles will be exempt. A historic vehicle is a specially plated classic/vintage passenger or commercial motor vehicle at least 30 years old and is operated on a highway only in parades, at exhibitions, tours or similar functions organized by an established automobile club, on route to be repaired, during testing and during demonstration for sale. A “Year of Manufacture” plated vehicle is a historic vehicle that is at least 30 years old and substantially unchanged or unmodified from the original manufacturer's product. ‘Year of Manufacture’ plates are licence plates that can be attached to a historic vehicle that was manufactured in the same year as the plates.

This means you can't do this to a daily driver. Yeah, Yeah, so cheat right? Not so easy when your plate says "Historic" right on it and you're not in a parade or whatever. Ask me how I know - my father-in-law has a 1973 MGB with a Historic Plate. So in reality, you never become exempt!

 

Nothing stops them from ammending the regulations for 1987 or older in a few years time. But from what I gather from the website and the pdf, is that for now any car 20 years or older, from 1987 on down, will still be exempt even after 2009.

Hmm...guess we all have to move to Thunder Bay. We'd sure be a tight rotory community then. The Tim Horton's parking lot would be packed!!!!

Since this is purely about the enivornment, if all this BS is going to go through, they better implement an Ontario-wide E-test, because they pollute in Northern Ontario, too!

 

you guys should just move to alberta :P

 

my car is a vert, so i guess my g/f will just have to ride on the trunk to keep me legal

 

You Can die now!!!

 

Or y'all can join me over here in la belle province... no e-tests, and I'm about ten minutes from ottawa

Then again... mine IS an '84.... so maybe we'll start seeing more first gens being modded

Jon