NAACC Accomplishments April 2024 –taken from NAACC Report #115
Submitted by NAACC VCCC Rep & NAACC President John Carlson
Hello members and executive of the Vintage Car Club of Canada and collector car friends.
I was asked recently to update and provide a list of our NAACC accomplishments.
In the past months the NAACC has sent and published overviews of what the NAACC has accomplished and is currently doing for its membership. This information is also provided directly to the VCCC through the NAACC representatives to your group. This information has also been provided in many past reports and is also listed on our website. www.naacc.ca Our quarterly reports are also sent directly to the VCCC national president as well as many members of the VCCC.
Here is an overview again with more depth.
The NAACC is a Federal Government watchdog for restrictive motor vehicle legislation concerns in Canada. We monitor proposed legislation through Hansard and the Federal Government watch list. This is done every week. https://www.ourcommons.ca/documentviewer/en/35-2/house/hansard-index
The NAACC can be compared to your home owners house insurance policy. You hope you never need it. However, if you have a house fire you have the insurance policy to cover the damage. The NAACC is very much like that.
We are here to restrict the damage to the collector vehicle hobby and to ward off restrictive legislative threats from ill-advised legislators who do not know the impact of certain types of proposed legislation. An example is the proposed banning of all right- hand drive vehicles. At first glance it seems harmless until you look back in history and see how this legislation adversely effects 1915 and earlier vehicles. As an aside, we are dealing with this concern again as I write this overview.
You might ask –what has the NAACC done in the past 4-5 years. Fortunately, there have been no major detrimental Federal proposals, however, you need to understand the scope of the NAACC across Canada.
The NAACC works with provinces that have strong (SVAs) Specialty Vehicle Associations. These Provinces are BC, Alberta, and Ontario. These three Provinces look after most of their local politics and the NAACC supports them. However, we are often asked to intercede and help when a major concern arises. The SVA’s generally do not interact or lobby with the Federal Government.
The other seven Provinces all vary to some degree. The NAACC looks after all of the Maritime Provinces. We interact for PEI, NB, NS and NFLD.
- Right now, and for (approximately) the past 5 years the NAACC has sat on the automotive legislation advisory board for Nova Scotia. We are helping to rewrite their entire Provincial Motor Vehicle Act. This is a huge undertaking. Thanks to the efforts of NAACC Director Conrad Lelievre we are making good progress. Conrad also represents the NAACC at all of the CCMTA meetings across Canada. The NAACC has been a member of the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administers for many years. This is a policy making group that reports to the Canadian Government. The NAACC attends their yearly AGM and provides direct input on behalf of the collector vehicle hobby in Canada. Usually this is a costly, time-consuming three-day event for the NAACC.
- British Columbia (2021-2022) At the request of past VCCC president Derek Long the NAACC became heavily involved with the Bowen Island proposed municipal vehicle work legislation restriction. Their mayor and council were attempting to ban local residents from working on their own personal vehicles at or in their own private residences. The local government proposed that restorations of collector vehicles would not be permitted to be worked on even though they were being restored on the owner’s personal private property.
The proposal by the local Government had gone through 1st reading when the NAACC was notified by Bowen Island resident and VCCC member Derek Long. Fortunately, Derek knew where to get help as he is a past VCCC National president and a past NAACC Provincial representative. As president of the NAACC and VCCC NAACC representative I on behalf of the NAACC wrote and then presented an in-depth ‘Brief’ to Mayor and Council. I also attended and spoke at their monthly Council Meeting.
The result of our NAACC input coupled with local objections was successful and the legislation proposal was taken off their agenda. That was a huge amount of very time-consuming work for the NAACC. Our input was successful.
The NAACC, as you know, offers a wonderful Insurance program strictly as a service to our member clubs. THERE IS NO PROFIT TO THE NAACC.
A recent VCCC insurance claim and representation and interaction by the NAACC in Oliver BC helped to provide a positive outcome. The VCCC South Okanagan Chapter was going to be sued for an accident that occurred at a swap meet in a local ice arena. The NAACC, in conjunction with Reliance Insurance company, helped settle the issue. Many phone calls with Christine Coulter, Senior Commercial Account Manager of Reliance Insurance and VCCC Governor Morley McDonald helped arrive at a satisfactory result for all concerned. The result was that the insurance underwriter paid out over $66,000 to the injured VCCC member. There are too many details to be listed here. The NAACC insurance program preformed exactly as expected.
- The NAACC is part of the (CCMTA) Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators. We pay a significant membership fee to belong. The NAACC also attends their annual meetings at the cost of between $2000–$3000 a year. Our purpose for doing so is that we have the opportunity to provide feedback to proposed restrictive Federal legislation. The CCMTA makes recommendations to the Department of Federal Transportation. By belonging to this group this gives the NAACC a firsthand opportunity to provide input so that proposed restrictive legislation is dealt with before it becomes legislation.
- We have partnered with a number of groups that have significant roles in the collector car hobby. i.e. Tech Force Foundation, RPM Foundation, American Hot Rod Foundation, America Automotive Trust. Please see the NAACC LINKS page. www.naacc.ca We are currently in lengthy discussions with (FIVA) International Federation of Ancient Motor Vehicles in Europe and the (AMCA) Antique Motorcycle Club of America. As an aside, both of these groups contacted us about becoming partners with them.
- In the past the NAACC spent over two years and $100,000 warding off ill proposed Federal legislation. Proposed Federal Bill 241 is just one example. This Bill mandated that all pre 1978 vehicles would be restricted from operating on the public highways across Canada. Eighty thousand letters, hundreds of lobby hours by NAACC Directors and $100,000 later the NAACC was successful. Obviously, there were countless other clubs and groups that were involved and supported us as well. The VCCC was a very strong supporter of the NAACC lobby. However, it was the funding of the NAACC and its leadership that coordinated the effort Canada wide!
- Saving the Customs Duty on US imported vehicles and related parts. In the late 1970’s & early 80’s the NAACC lobbied successfully with the help of many clubs to do away with all Customs Duties on vehicles 25 years old and older and all related parts. This NAACC lobby was successful. Needless to say, the financial costs to the NAACC were significant. The entire collector car hobby benefitted then and continues to benefit financially today from the NAACC’s hard work.
- British Columbia Collector Plates. In the mid late 1980’s, 1990’s and beyond, the NAACC lobbied with the help of the (CCCC) Collation of Concerned Collector Cars Clubs for Stock & Modified Collector license plates in BC. VCCC past president Ed Aveling, Bob McKenzie and I met with BC Attorney General Russ Fraser in 1990 on behalf of the VCCC, SVABC and the NAACC. The NAACC met many times with the legislators that made this possible. The NAACC met with the BC Provincial Government and Superintendent of Motor Vehicles Keith Jackman literally dozens of times. As one of the BC NAACC representatives I personally attended every meeting over a period of approximately 15 years. The VCCC was always represented through the NAACC as well as having specific VCCC members in attendance. This was a combined joint effort by many Clubs. The initial effort was led by the NAACC and then the Coalition of Concerned Collector Car Clubs was formed and the rest is history. (The lobby was successful)
- I refer you to the article written by Peter Hill, the manager of Air Care. The article titled ‘5 Years of Progress’ says it all. In 2001 the NAACC, VCCC & the CCCC were asked to become involved with AirCare in BC. Jim Mcdonald represented the VCCC. John Carlson represented the NAACC and Fred Bennett represented the CCCC. We served as a formal collector vehicle Air Care committee for nearly 15 years. Air Care was led by Martin Lay and his manager Peter Hill.
NAACC Lobby Accomplishments ( past 10 years or less )
All of these lobbies took countless hours of time and effort
- Prohibited Paint—NAACC Implemented the framework at the Federal Government level and spoke to the topic so that Lacquer Based paint may continue to be used in Canada today. (Our lobby was Successful)
- Race Track Prohibition –The Federal Government was going to ban outright the use of Nitrous Oxide. The NAACC was asked to speak on behalf of the Canadian racing community regarding the use of Nitrous Oxide for street vehicles that are legally raced on a sanctioned track. As a direct result of our talks with the government, Federal legislation was approved for vehicles to carry Nitrous as long as they conform to the requirements. NAACC president John Carlson wrote those specific requirements and presented them to the Federal Government on behalf of the racing community and the NAACC. They were all passed into law.
- Leaded Racing Fuel—The NAACC was asked by the Ontario racing community and Motorplex Racing Inc, to approach the Federal Government and ask them to ease the restriction for the use of leaded racing fuel. After over a year of negotiations and many hours with the Federal Government, the continued use of leaded racing fuel was approved for racing in Canada. (Lobby Successful)
- Vintage Car Club of Canada requests a National Insurance Program.
Approximately 15 years ago the (VCCC) Vintage Car Club of Canada asked the NAACC to develop an insurance program for car Clubs. After two years of by weekly meetings with Pat Anderson, owner of Pat Andersson insurance agencies, a policy was developed under the umbrella of the NAACC. This insurance program was initially developed specially for the VCCC. It was then expanded and was offered across Canada. I repeat–this was a request by the Vintage Car Club of Canada approximately 15 years ago. This policy is underwritten exclusively by Lloyds of London and Premier Marine for the NAACC and Reliance Insurance. (Successful and is less than one half of the cost of the previous coverage paid by the VCCC)
- Collector Car Appreciation Day and Automotive Heritage Month
The NAACC met with SEMA/SAN (Director Steve McDonald) to develop an automotive recognition day and month North America wide.
The implementation of Collector Car Appreciation Day with SEMA/SAN and the implementation of Automotive Heritage Month was established jointly by SEMA & the NAACC. (Successful)
- July 12, 2024 is Collector Car Appreciation Day and July is Automotive Heretiage Month.
A formal BC Proclamation has already been issued for 2024.
Many Provinces claim ownership of Collector Car Appreciation Day. Please Note: This was a joint effort by SEMA & the NAACC. Steve McDonald represented SEMA and John Carlson represented the NAACC. NAACC secretary Tom Woodhouse was the initial proposer of Automotive Heritage Month. Every year since its inception the NAACC has approached the BC Government for a yearly Proclamation.
- Judging Standards–The NAACC developed a national set of vehicle judging standards and have been using these with the Vintage Car Club of Canada for nearly thirty years. They have been updated and redrafted and updated 12 times. The appear in the judging section on the NAACC website
- Judging Partners–The NAACC has partnered with (ICJAG) International Chief Judge Advisory Group. (We are one of a very small group to have been accepted as a partner.) ICJAG judging sheets are the standard to which many Concours around the world are used for judging including the Pebble Beach Concours, Arizona Concours, Hilton Head Concours and the Cobble Beach Concours in Ontario Canada. Many foreign Concours use this format as well including 21 Gun Salute in Europe.
- Cross Canada Tours–The NAACC sanctions a Cross Canada Tour every 5 years. The most recent Tours were led by NAACC Director and VCCC National President Fraser Field. The NAACC financial involvement was approximately $2500. (The participants pay their own way.) In 2017 there were approximately 100 vehicles on the Tour from Coast to Coast led by Fraser and Dorthy Field. The Tour was approximately three months long. In 2023 the Tour had approximately 60 vehicles and traveled Coast to Coast. It was approximately 2 months long. The NAACC supplied signage, pins and looked after all of their insurance arrangements. Their members also helped host the group as they traveled across Canada.
- Website–The NAACC developed a new website in 2023. We currently retain a paid webmaster to look after the current site. www.naacc.ca
- The NAACC is now working with the American Hot Rod Foundation to develop a larger member audience. We have formed a strong working partnership with them. Our NAACC logo is proudly displayed on their Home page. https://ahrf.com/ Their mandate is to preserve the history of early motorsports.
- Two years ago the NAACC partnered with TechForce Foundation. This is a professional group that provides scholarships to enter the trades. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and network supporting technicians to and through their careers. Connecting them with scholarships, training, VIP tickets to events, and jobs to thrive in their careers.
- The NAACC is partnered with LeMay, Americas Car Museum in Tacoma WA. The NAACC provides a number of free admission tickets every year to NAACC members. This is a saving of roughly $40 US per two people. This museum has been ranked as one of the 10 best in the USA. These ticket offerings have been used by many VCCC members in the past and are still available through the NAACC.
- The NAACC provides quarterly reports directly to the VCCC and updates to its general membership and to anyone else online who is interested in reading them. www.naacc.ca The VCCC is provided with updates at the VCCC Governors meetings. There have 115 plus reports and many Newsletters issued. The VCCC has been a member of the NAACC since 1970 (54 years)
- The NAACC is a Federally Registered NOT FOR PROFIT Corporation. It has been in operation since 1970. No one gets paid anything. None of the Board of Directors, president or executive are paid.
- The NAACC is represented in every Province in Canada. It has one or more full time Directors in all 10 Provinces. Many Provinces have two or three directors. British Columbia has three full time Directors. Morley McDonald, Fraser Field and John Carlson are the BC Directors.
In summary.
This a very brief overview. There is much more that is currently being done in many provinces across Canada by the NAACC.
This includes the current NAACC Canada wide Federal lobby to allow the continued use of Ethanol free fuel. The NAACC has met with MP’s in the Federal Government. Our most recent meeting and presentation was to the (BCHRA) British Columbia Hot Rod Association and to MP John Aldag Minister of Parliament Cloverdale & Langley City. As a result of this meeting the Minister has agreed to present our NAACC request to the House of Parliament. A second MP from the opposition has also stepped forward and has agreed to present on our behalf. If the NAACC had not led this charge, in my opinion, this petition and MP support would not have happened.
An online Ethanol Free Petition was developed and an application was submitted to the Federal Government for approval. Thankfully this was approved by the government and has been online for the past four months. The petition ended April 17, 2024.
As a VCCC member you should know that the VCCC increased its membership dues years ago by $5.00 so that no VCCC monies would be used for the cost NAACC dues membership. (This was done approximately 15 plus years ago.) The result is that ‘Every’ VCCC member pays for their own NAACC dues. It costs the VCCC nothing to belong to the NAACC. The dues for the NAACC have not gone up in over 25 years and remain the same today.
Is it worth belonging to the NAACC at the cost of $5.00 per family membership per year. I will let you be the judge after reading the information above.
Thank you for your support.
John Carlson
President/CEO
National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada Corp.
www.naacc.ca