Can I just say one thing. We're in Canada, Not in America or part of America. Canada is a different and a separate country. You might as well compare things in Mexico. Its still in North America and prices are cheaper there too. 
No offense intended but I'm really tired of that inane argument too. We are inextricably tied to the US like it not. Our trade, economies, culture and even our politics flow back and forth constantly. The only way for Canada to gauge it self in the grand scheme of things is to compare ourselves to our nearest neighbor. For example, how many local plumbers do you think we would have if they made $25000 in Canada and $140,000 in the states? The comparisons to the US are valid and needed. There should be no reason a Civic made in Aliston should be cheaper in California than Ontario.
Oh wait I forgot we're another country, and to fully be Canadian we must accept our quasi-monopolistic captive market... 
Just because we're Canadian doesn't mean we should accept things the way they are without questioning them. Our dollar is at par, yet we pay up 35% more for the same vehicle that an American would buy. We need to question this and when we get silly answers like "you're paying for stronger heaters, bigger wash fluid tanks and Super Duper wiper blades" that just drives us Stateside to save $10,000 and, utimatley, as a form of protest against the auto makers that gouge the Canadian consumer.
OK. Then get started on forming a customs union or Common market between the two countries. I'll support that. Common standards, tax harmonization, common external tariffs and sooner or later a true common currency.
I think that this should have been done about a century ago. Now... maybe one had best hope for McCain to be the next US president and Harper to win a really big majority... even then I wouldn't give it much hope.
We could do some good things: Get rid of farm marketing boards. Weaken the powers of provinces to the same as US states relative the the federal government. Allow freedom of movement of labour in a general sense not just with "free trade" visas.
It won't happen because a very large number of people will suddenly have to work for a living. Just imagine what the Council of Canadians would say.
As for just the car thing. the Federal Government could change the RIV regulations in a second.... easy...
Any vehicle that meets US standards may be imported into Canada and registered for use with just the payment of duties and taxes. No paper work except to show the invoice at the border and pay the taxes.
