You may not have heard about this during the election because it isn't proving to be very popular, but Manitoba's state-run auto insurance company, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), is now forcing motorists whose vehicles are on the "most at risk" list to install immobilizers. Fail to do so by September 1st and you will not be able to re-new your insurance. And because of the monopoly MPI enjoys over auto insurance, Manitobans have no choice but comply.

On the surface this may sound like a laudable plan to curb car theft (which is on the rise in Manitoba), but dig a little deeper and this turns out to be nothing more than a government sanctioned edict designed to force the victims of car theft to do the work that government has failed miserably to do.

Aside from the obvious electrical problems that could occur in one's vehicle with the immobilizers, what is perhaps most disconcerting is the heavy handed manner in which MPI, and by extension, the NDP government, is forcing ratepayers to subsidize the installation of these systems.

A knee-jerk reaction to the rash of car thefts this summer led to this poorly thought-out policy. There was no public consultation, no opportunity for ratepayers to voice their opposition (or support) and worse, no proof this edict will keep our streets safe.

MPI and the NDP government are using the same guilt laden language that was used when photo radar was instituted in Manitoba. But what they refuse to address is why are they punishing those whose cars are stolen instead of incarcerating the ones who commit the crimes It appears the path of least resistance is much easier.

Further information has revealed if you install an immobilizer, it could potentially void your car's warranty. One doubts MPI and the government even took this into consideration.

When questioned by the Winnipeg Sun's Tom Brodbeck on the new regulations and how they came up with the "most at risk" list, you need a map to figure out exactly what MPI said: "There are some differences in the regulated lists but they do not result in any vehicle types being deemed no longer at risk. In the time between the two regulations, the corporation refined the way it described vehicles to better reflect the technical descriptions of some vehicles." In other words, if your vehicle was on the list and is no longer, you still need the government sanctioned immobilizer.

If citizens want to install an immobilizer it should be their choice. If they choose not to (because they can't afford it or because it may void their warranty) and their vehicle is stolen, they may suffer higher insurance premiums in the future. But to unjustly strong-arm 47,000 vehicle owners to take a course of action not supported by research is a violation of our fundamental freedoms.

Manitobans should have the right to use an immobilizer, the Club or a Denver Boot to keep thieves from stealing their vehicle, but in the same token they should have the right not to use these devices.

Once a government or a government mandated monopoly starts taking away our freedoms, they're pretty hard to get back. Right now it's only 47,000 drivers, but at this rate it could only be a matter of time before the NDP and MPI collude to ensure every vehicle on Manitoba streets has one new immobilizer and every driver has one less freedom.