Tony Tsai

Vice President, Corporate Communications and Services CAA Club Group

  • Thornhill ON

Tony Tsai oversees the organization's internal and external communications.

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Spotlight

2 min

MEDIA RELEASE: Be Winter Ready: CAA, Toronto Police Service, OPP, MTO and the City of Toronto join forces to prepare motorists for the season ahead

Cold weather is about to settle in and CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO), Toronto Police Service (TPS), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and the City of Toronto want to know: are you winter ready? This year, the five organizations have joined forces to help inform Ontarians that now is the time to get your winter tires installed, check your car battery and stock your car with an emergency kit with all the essentials needed for the winter months. “We can’t always predict when and how much snow will fall but stocking up your vehicle ahead of time goes a long way in ensuring that no matter what weather conditions you encounter, you are prepared,” says Tony Tsai, Vice President of Corporate Communications & Services CAA SCO. “Staying safe while driving this season begins with proper winter vehicle maintenance before bad weather hits.” TPS, OPP and MTO are also reinforcing the importance of driver behaviour. “Motorists need to be aware and alert at all times when on the road, even in the most routine circumstances like driving to and from work,” says Police Constable Sean Shapiro, TPS. “That includes slowing down and driving according to weather conditions and ensuring you give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination”. MTO recommends motorists download and use the 511 app to check the weather and road conditions before they leave home this winter. The 511 app can be found at 511on.ca or in the app store on your mobile device. If you are experiencing a vehicle breakdown or were involved in a collision, OPP recommends to Steer It and Clear It if it’s safe to do so. Never stop on the roadway and if possible, park well off the road and stay inside your vehicle until rescuers arrive. Motorists should also refer to some other less-practiced tips to help make your winter drive a safe one: Keep the gas tank at least half full at all times. Cold weather causes condensation in the system, which can lead to fuel-line freeze-up and can prevent your car from starting. Remove excess snow from the car before driving off. Any snow left on the roof might slide down onto the windshield and obstruct your vision. Keep your wiper fluid full. Keep extra fluid in your trunk. Make sure it’s rated for -40℃. Pack a fully stocked emergency kit. The kit should include a flashlight and extra batteries, warning devices (e.g., flares, reflective vests/strips), a first aid kit, blankets, jumper cables, non-perishable food and water plus a phone charger. Be sure to also keep an ice scraper, small shovel and snow brush handy in your car at all times.

Tony TsaiNadia Matos

1 min

STORY: CAA Club Group of Companies announces $100,0000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross Hurricane Fiona Appeal in Canada

CAA Club Group of Companies (CCG) is announcing a $100,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross Hurricane Fiona in Canada Appeal today. Money raised will help people across eastern Canada impacted by this devastating hurricane. “Like many Canadians, CCG's associates have witnessed the destruction and upheaval caused by Hurricane Fiona. As a care-driven organization, we believe that looking out for others is the most important thing a company can do," said Jay Woo, president & CEO, CAA Club Group of Companies. "Our thoughts are with the Canadians who have lost loved ones, whose lives have been disrupted, and whose homes were destroyed." The Government of Canada will match this donation and all contributions made by Canadians and other corporations until October 23, 2022. This will help the Red Cross to carry out relief, recovery, resiliency, and risk reduction activities in and beyond the region at the individual and community levels. Together we can make a significant difference in helping our community. If you wish to contribute, you can donate to the Canadian Red Cross online. CCG is the parent organization of CAA South Central Ontario (SCO), CAA Manitoba, CAA Insurance Company, Orion Travel Insurance, and Echelon Insurance.

Tony Tsai

4 min

MEDIA RELEASE: CAA Manitoba is reminding drivers to prepare for Winter: Top Battery and Winter Driving Tips

Winnipeg, MB, December 3, 2020 – Manitoba has been experiencing some warmer-than usualweather, but as winter approaches, temperatures drop, and more of us spending more time at home because of the pandemic, CAA Manitoba (CAA MB) is reminding drivers that battery maintenance and adjusting to winter conditions when driving are the most important things you can do to keep yourself, and other motorists and pedestrians safe. Battery maintenance will be one of the main concerns this winter, especially with vehicles staying idle for long stretches of time.“A dead or dying battery can easily leave you stranded at the worst possible time,” says Tony Tsai, vice president of corporate communications and services for CAA MB and South Central Ontario. “There are still many Manitobans changing winter tires right now, so this is an ideal time to also ask your mechanic to check the car battery as well.” A car battery will eventually lose its charge if it isn’t used at least once every few weeks. If you know you are not going to be using your vehicle that often in winter, use a trickle charger or battery tender with an automatic shut-off feature to keep it in good condition. If your battery is giving you problems or you are unsure if it’s time to replace it, you can call CAA’s mobile Battery Service at *222 to have a trained CAA MB Battery Service Representative come test your battery and provide a helping hand. Every year when the weather conditions change, drivers must adjust to driving on icy and/or snowy roads, and inclement weather requires even more focus and attention while on the road. CAA MB recommends leaving plenty of space between you and the vehicle ahead, reducing your speed and sticking to the main roads, and keeping a phone charger in your car in case something happens to keep yourself and others safe. Also, avoid using overdrive or cruise control, practice emergency braking to understand how your vehicle will react, and never pass snow plows on the right-hand side, and slow down and move over for emergency vehicles, including stopped tow trucks. Motorists can also avoid a dead battery with these preventative measures: Install a Battery Tender This device has two claws that attach to your battery’s terminals like jumper cables. It then plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet and automatically delivers small amounts of electricity to keep the battery charged during periods of inactivity. Swap out your old one Most batteries last between three to five years. If yours is getting old, replace it before wintertime. Keep corrosion at bay The white or blue powder that appears on your battery terminals is corrosion, which can prevent a car from starting. Inspect your battery and carefully clean away any residue that you find. Turn off your accessories Don’t start the car with the heater and radio on. They can use up the power coming from the vehicle’s alternator and prevent the battery from charging. Don’t disconnect your battery If your car is going to sit idle for an extended period, don’t unplug your battery. Some devices, like clocks and alarm systems, use power when the car is off. If you plan on not using your vehicle for a long period of time, use a battery maintainer device. Winter driving etiquette tips for motorists: Remove snow and ice Always thoroughly clean your vehicle to avoid ice hazards and blowing snow that can reduce visibility and safety for other drivers. No, please, after you! Allow others to change lanes ahead of you. Letting a fellow driver to merge can help the flow of traffic for everyone on a cold and stressful winter day. Protect others’ personal space Leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle ahead to give you time to react to any changes in traffic flow, such as unexpected, quick stops and movements. Adjust to Canadian winter drive time Leave extra time to get to destinations safely by planning ahead when poor weather is expected. Checking weather reports and readjusting morning routines and evening commutes to avoid being rushed leads to better overall driving behaviour. The rearview window wave Extend a friendly gesture to others to express gratitude for their acts of courtesy and then pay it forward. Respect old man winter Always stay focused and drive accordingly. That may mean adjusting your speed when necessary. Focus on driving to avoid being surprised by changes in another driver’s movements or road or traffic conditions.

Tony Tsai
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Biography

Tony’s passion is to help individuals and organizations facilitate honest and constructive conversations with their stakeholders and the public at large. He has been with CAA since 2009 and is the Vice President, Corporate Communications and Services. He and his amazingly talented (and spirited) teams oversee public relations, media relations, internal communications, change management, business continuity planning, facilities management and corporate services.

Prior to joining CAA, he worked in various roles in communications and marketing at Canwest Global Communications and Husky Injection Molding Systems.

Industry Expertise

Public Relations and Communications
Automotive

Areas of Expertise

Corporate Communication
Internal Communication
Leadership
Management
Project Management

Education

Wilfrid Laurier University

B.B.A.

Business Administration

1999

Media Appearances

Ontario residents urged to prepare for severe winter weather, emergencies

CityNews Toronto  online

2022-11-17

Tony Tsai, the vice president of communications with CAA South Central Ontario, also emphasized the need for preparation. He said motorists in need of roadside assistance should keep this in mind.

“On a typical day, we receive about 4,000 calls that we go out and service, and the average wait time is around 30 and 45 minutes to get there. On a peak of a winter storm, that can double or triple depending on the severity of a storm,” he told CityNews.

He encouraged drivers to check their brakes and vehicle fluids and ensure their routine maintenance was now up-to-date. Tsai also stressed the importance of checking vehicle batteries.

“Even a fully charged battery can lose 30 per cent of its power when the temperature drops below zero, and these days most batteries last three to five years,” he said.

When heading out on a snowy day, Tsai encouraged building in lots of extra time in the commute to drive slowly and clear all snow off vehicles, wiping off headlights, topping up windshield washer fluid and checking windshield wipers.

Like Bachynsky, he encouraged keeping an emergency kit.

“That includes a brush, scraper, an extra phone charger, flashlight, a first aid kit, some extra warm clothing, some non-perishable food items if you have them and if you can, a candle in a can and some matches so that way it will help you keep warm in the vehicle,” Tsai said.

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'Winter is different': Motorists urged to get ready for difficult driving conditions

CBC  online

2022-11-16

Tony Tsai, vice-president of corporate communications and services for CAA South Central Ontario, said winter is just around the corner and drivers need to be prepared.

"Now is the time to plan ahead," he said.

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Snow safety tips for the next big storm

CityNews Kitchener  online

2022-01-18

"One thing I think is very important for people to keep in mind on all winter days is how to prepare yourself for any car ride so that, if you do get stranded, that you're not caught in a really difficult situation," said Tony Tsai, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Services with CAA South Central Ontario.

"It can be as simple as having an old laundry basket with a few key items," said Tsai.

Tsai says these items include things like jumper cables, a small shovel, a candle in a container for warmth, extra warm clothes and blankets, and extra food and water.

"And most importantly keep your cell phone well charged, have an extra battery pack if you can, think about having a flashlight in your car, and make sure that when you go out you have these items so if you are ever stuck somewhere you have the means to keep yourself warm and keep yourself safe," he said.

On top of what's in the trunk, drivers are also reminded on bad weather days to make sure you gas-up before you set off to wherever you're going so you have a full tank in case you get stuck and need to stay warm.

"If you are stuck and certainly in the winter time you want to stay warm, we really recommend you don't leave your car running on idle all the time," Tsai said, instead suggesting drivers cycle power for 10-15 minutes on and 30 minutes off. "It not only saves on gas but also helps prevent the likelihood of carbon monoxide build-up."

"That's also a really big danger, especially in the winter time."

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