Star writer helps big GM pay back

PANAMA. General Motors Canada says it will settle a $1 billion Canadian class-action lawsuit that alleges its 3. 1, 3. 4, and 3. 8L V6 engines on 1995-2004 models were faulty. New or used owners will get a refund up to $800. Earlier this year, GM offered similar compensation to American owners.

Panama Star columnist and consumer advocate Phil Edmonston, helped initiate the lawsuit and prepared some of the research submitted to the court.

His Lemon-Aid consumer guide published GM's internal service bulletins two years before the lawsuit was filed.

The lawsuit alleges the engines used a faulty plastic intake manifold gasket that would warp and cause the engine to overheat. GM issued several confidential bulletins admitting the problem and used a "secret warranty" applicable up to 7 years/160,000 km to compensate owners who made a pest of themselves.

Edmonston, a former Canadian legislator will be gaining additional prominence in Canada where he will be appearing as a political pundit on CBC, French TV, during the run up to the Canadian Elections on October 14.

The Canadian election is Prime Minister Stephen Harper's latest attempt to gain a majority government for his Conservative Party.

The two dominant issues are a Liberal-proposed carbon tax to be used to combat environmental damage, cut taxes, and boost subsidies to the poor and the poor performance of Liberal Party Leader Stephane Dion. The Conservatives also want to re-affirm Canada's control of the Arctic and crack down on crime.