The old car hobby is under attack by seemingly well-meaning legislators. The
Specialty Vehicle Association of Ontario (SVAO) was formed back in 1994 to protect the old car hobby from the new
Drive Clean program. As a result of their efforts, the government allowed a rolling 20 year exemption on emission testing. The current government eliminated this exemption last year and we (in the SVAO) are very concerned that this hobby will die after the 1988 cars become desirable hobby cars. The new law forcing those cars to be YEARLY TESTED and, if failing, to be scrapped (!!) is a guaranteed way to KILL the HOBBY.
The government subsequently introduced the
Anti-Street Racing Bill (Bill 203). However, this legislation does much more than just try to control street racing and has severe implications for anyone with a modified vehicle. See
SVAO's Bill 203 Discussion Points for more information. You do not even need to be driving to have your car seized (and crushed) under this legislation. Your car just needs to LOOK like it COULD race and there is NO appeal.
Obviously, the government's interest is not in helping those in the old car hobby or in really protecting the environment.
SEMA's advocacy branch
SEMA SAN has agreed to help us fight laws like the elimination of Drive Clean's rolling 20-year exemption and Bill 203. All they ask is for is interested Canadians to register for their newsletter at their
SEMA Canadian Signup. It's free and just shows that we are interested in their help. PLEASE REGISTER NOW!
