AUTOMOTIVE Potential problem with Century STE Convertible car seat, says CAA THE 3.5 million member, Automobile Association (CAA), not-for-profit Canadian in cooperation... with Transport Canada, is advising consumers of a potential problem affecting 2,800 Century STE Convertible car seats. During government dynamic testing, it was found that in the forward-facing position, the tether strap retaining tube pulled out, thereby cracking the plastic ‘shell of the seat in the tether strap region. Without the tether strap to limit forward movement of the car seat, this problem could allow ex- cessive head excursion during a frontal collision. ’ Century 2000 STE, Models 4261 and 4266; Century 3000 STE, Models 4369 and 4381; and Cen- tury 5000 STE, Model 4476 manufactured between Jan. 1, 1991 and Jan. 31, 1992, are af- fected by this public notice. After a Century Products Company engineer witnessed the Transport Canada re-tests, the company immediately removed the affected restraint systems from the shelves of Canadian retail outlets. The car seat manufacturer has de- veloped a two-piece plastic but- ton, which, when installed, will keep the tether strap retaining tube properly located behind the material covering the shell of the restraint, in a fixed position dur- ing use. The plastic butten will prevent the tether strap retaining tube from being pulled out. Consumers are advised to con- tact Century Products Company at 1-800-927-3955 to obtain, free of charge, a repair kit with the two-piece button and full installa- tion instructions. Century recom- mends that consumers continue to use the affected child car seats un- til the kit is received. The car seats will still provide a higher level of occupant protection than not us- ing them at all. There have been no reported incidents to Century Products Company or Transport Canada of the tether strap problem occurring during a motor vehicle collision. The CAA operates a Child Restraint Information Program in concert with Transport Canada. Budgetary process needs cooperation to succeed THIS TIME of year, as always, is a busy one for our various levels of gov- ernment. By Michael Wyck Contributing Writer First out of the gate is Ottawa with its annual budget, a fiscal framework to take us through the next 12 months. Close on its heels are the provinces which over the next few months are expected to ‘build on Ottawa's example and introduce their own budgetary guidelines. It’s an important few months at the best of times; however, during a recession it becomes downright crucial. And without one essential ingredient — federal/provinciat cooperation — the entire budgetary process can be rendered useless. . Here’s how things currently stand. Recently, the federal gov- ernment tabled a relatively right, fiscally responsible budget (with no new tax increases) which garnered generally favoratsle reac- tion. Then, not more than a few days later, federal Finance Minister Don Mazankowski singl- ed out Ontario with 2 few words of advice: Don’t repeat last year’s mistake, he warned, by introduc- ing a budget chock-full of tax in- creases and government spending. (Ontario Treasurer Floyd Laughren has been signalling in recent weeks tat such measures “jnevitabie.”’ aWwhether Ontario heeds Mazankowski’s advice is yet to be seen, but what's clear is that On- tario and every other province and territory have the power, through their own budgets, to nullify any good the federal budget may have delivered. The issue, according to Catherine Swift, senior vice- president, provincial affairs for the Canadian Federation of In- dependent Business, is one of co- operative coordination of econom- ic and fiscal direction, for the good of the nation as a whole. In last year’s season of provin- cial budgets, Swift says, the need for cooperative coordination was clearly the message of the day. “What we saw in last year’s round of budgets were encourag- ing signs that most of the pro- vinces had developed a common sense of purpose and were actively trying to propel their respective economies out of the recession. There was a good mix of deficit control and political courage.” Except in Ontario. Their 1991 budget offering was soundly re- jected as both irresponsible and incompetent. While the other pro- vinces and territories displayed restrained, relatively fiscally smart budgets, Ontario strayed danger- ously from the pack. A mushrooming deficit and burgeon- ing debt is what Ontario has to show for its irresponsibility. The need for like-minded gov- ernment fiscal direction, deciares Swift, is even more pronounced amidst the current recession. “If we concede that Ottawa’s budget will set the stage for a modest recovery and not add to the teeming unemployment lines or bankruptcy numbers, then the provinces have both a moral and economic obligation not to undo the positive measure: in tabling a budget riddled with tax hikes and runaway spending. Only time will tell just how the provinces will respond to the overall message of tighter spend- ing and modest tax relief. 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