The province is about to require even more Manitoba drivers to install an anti-theft immobilizer on their vehicles if they want them insured.
Around 47,000 drivers have until the end of September to outfit their vehicles with the electronic devices before renewing their insurance.
And now the government says Manitoba Public Insurance wants to add to its list another batch of vehicles that would require immobilizers, this time affecting approximately 50,000 drivers.
MPI spokesman Brian Smiley says the measure is necessary because thieves are now targeting vehicles that don't have an after-market immobilizer.
Greg Simes was forced to install an immobilizer in his work truck two months ago. Simes told CTV's Rachel Lagac� that sometimes he has problems starting his truck and it took six days to get it installed.
The mandatory immobilizer was paid in full by Manitoba Public Insurance but Simes is getting billed for a portion of the install. His truck has a remote starter and must an $80 bill.
"Installation for 80 bucks for what?" he said. "When you're announcing that it's a free program, why am I expected to pay something if it's free?"
Barry Ward of Ward's Auto Security has an answer - but it probably won't comfort Simes.
"In order for us to retrofit a vehicle with an immobilizer with a remote starter we have to put in a relay fitting,"
Ward's company on Higgins Avenue installs about 40 immobilizers every day. He says the program seems to be working.
"They've never been defeated or had a successful drive-away which speaks volumes for the program," he said.
MPI has asked the provincial government to allow the company to add another 50,000 vehicles to its mandatory immobilizer program.
Lorne Mokelkie just had an immobilizer installed in his 1986 Plymouth.
"It's less worry, you go to work, you do things you need a vehicle, so I like the idea," he said.
The new MPI list is expected to be released soon.
With files from The Canadian Press and a report from CTV's Rachel Lagac�.
