Its funny you mention impact bumper regulations I work at trade school in alberta(specificlly in the Automotives and Heavy equipment area).We often get cars donated from many different manufactures to be used for what have you. Last year we had one of the schools facultys do a project on 5kph front and rear impact crash tests to find out how various models faired. It was suprising to see the results. I beleive 1 model made it within the $500.00 range (assuming you could find someone to paint and prep a bumper for $500.00). The worse case was a border line right off with structural trunk pan and quater panel damage. In seeing these results first hand it seems as though this is an out dated or maybe a third world country(cheap labour) law.
Getting back to import rules it sounds as though the 15 year rule is the way to go? maybe I will wait tell a 96 300e is 15yrs old. I wonder how a 15yr old car becomes magiclly safe and compliant to canada standards...
thanks gary