In a move that car enthusiasts have been waiting forever for, the Government of Canada has proposed an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations to harmonize the Canadian bumper standard for passenger cars with those in the United States and Europe.

Canada currently has a more stringent bumper safety standard requiring bumpers to withstand front and rear collisions at speeds of up to 8 kph (5 mph). These safety standards were actually developed with the United States and were harmonized until 1982 when the US lowered their speed requirements to 4kph (2.5 mph) for front and rear impacts.

“This proposed amendment would offer more choice to Canadians who wish to import vehicles,” said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “At the same time, it would help to maintain the safety of Canadian roads.”

I’m not exactly sure how lowering the bumper standards is supposed to “maintain” the safety of Canadian roads. This move is obviously an attempt to increase trade between Canada and the US and has nothing to do with safety, so why spin it that way?

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