[Mark Henry]

Tell the dealer to fix it or you will take it to CANVAP, that should get their butts in gear.
http://www.camvap.ca/

C&P

Motor Vehicle Lemon Laws in Canada – CAMVAP.
The program does include awards where the arbitrator orders the manufacturer to buyback the vehicle. The arbitrators can order the manufacturer to buyback the vehicle; repair the vehicle at its expense; reimburse the consumer for repairs that have been paid for by the consumer; and, reimburse the consumer up to $500 for limited out of pocket expenses. Buybacks average about $22,000 with most vehicles that are ordered to be bought back usually being in their 2nd or early 3rd year of operation. One recent and very exceptional buyback was for just over $250,000.
The program covers vehicles that are from the current plus 4 model years old. Up until September 30th of this year, that means vehicles that are 2004 and newer are eligible. After September 30, 2008 program eligibility will be limited to vehicles from the 2005 and newer model years with program eligibility extending to 160,000 kilometers (100,000 miles.) Unlike many U.S. lemon laws CAMVAP covers used vehicles.
The CAMVAP process is free to the consumer. The hearings are held in the consumer’s home community. Manufacturers send district service staff or retired service staff to the hearings. Manufacturers do not send a lawyer. Unlike the U.S. lemon law system in all but a few states, consumers do not need lawyers. The program and its agreement for arbitration are more practical than the lemon laws.
When pre-hearing settlements, consent orders and contested awards are added together, consumers are successful about 70% of the time. Aside from the other awards, 87 vehicles were bought back by the manufacturers for a total value of 2.04 million dollars.
CAMVAP is governed by an independent board of governors that include consumer, government, dealer and manufacturer representation. All of the provinces and territories in Canada are members of CAMVAP and senior representatives from these governments participate in CAMVAP’s overall governance.
Canada’s approach to dispute resolution is considerably different than the U.S. model. The fact that the order is binding on both the consumer and the manufacturer is considered a benefit of the program. The fact that the program is free to consumers makes access available to all consumers that have a dispute with the manufacturer of their vehicle and becausethe program is Canada-wide, consumers are treated the same no matter their jurisdiction. This is significantly different from the patchwork quilt of lemon laws that exist in the United States. Many states have excellent well administered lemon laws, but in other states the laws are on the books with no funding, staffing or practical availability to the consumer.
For those interested in CAMVAP, please see our website. General consumer information as well as the programs annual reports is available to be viewed and downloaded.
I must disagree with Mr. Lemberg’s bottom line. CAMVAP provides consumers with an excellent program that is fast, fair, free, friendly and final. Canadians have a program that works for consumers and in many ways exceed many of the U.S. models.
Stephen Moody
General Manager
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan