CIAA opens Alberta chapter

A national association for the independent aftermarket has its first provincial chapter.

The Canadian Independent Automotive Association (CIAA), which has its roots and much of its support in the west, now has an official Alberta chapter.

Wayne Paulson, owner of Kingsgate Automotive Ltd., in Edmonton, was chosen to serve as the chapter’s first president.

The newly formed Alberta chapter has been granted membership in the AMVIC Society representing the service and repair industry for the province of Alberta.

As a member of the AMVIC Society, the CIAA Alberta Chapter can appoint an individual to represent the service and repair industry on the AMVIC board of directors.

Nancy Suranyi, a part-owner of Namao Automotive Ltd. in Namao, Alta., has been chosen to represent the CIAA Alberta Chapter on the AMVIC Society board. She is a past chair of the AMVIC board of directors.

The CIA Association is a non-profit organization that represents the independent automotive repair industry with membership across Canada. The association is “driven by the vision, heart and soul of independent shop owners and technicians that have the desire and passion to create a sustainable industry that we can take pride in,” a press release states.

The Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) is a non-profit society, led by a board of directors representing motor vehicle industry associations, the motor vehicle industry at large, and consumers. It regulates for the motor vehicle industry in Alberta.

All automotive repair facilities in Alberta are licensed under AMVIC.

“We feel that our independent repair shops in Alberta will be well represented by Wayne Paulson and Nancy Suranyi,” said CIAA president Rita Kause. “The CIA Association thanks every one that worked so hard in the last few months to make this Albert Chapter a reality. The AMVIC goal is an important stepping stone to future goals that can be achieved for our industry by working together.”

Kause said CIAA will continue to reach out to shop owners across the country, and seek greater support to help improve the automotive repair and service industry.

“If you shoot one little metal BB at a window, you probably won’t break the glass,” she said. “But when you super-glue a couple hundred of those BBs together into a ball, you will shatter the window.”