I also thought there was a six-month rule. But, on closer examination, the six-month rule seems to apply to returning residents rather than new settlers. In the case of a new settler, he/she has to have owned, possessed and used the goods abroad prior to importing them into Canada. However, there does not seem to be a specified time frame for this.

You can see this distinction when you read the declaration that a returning resident has to sign on Form B4 - Personal Effects Accounting Document, which is slightly different from the declaration that a new settler has to sign.

However, here is Memorandum D2-2-1, which describes the provisions of TARIFF ITEM NO. 9807.00.00, concerning Settlers' Effects. Clause 14 in the section on Ownership, Possession and Use deals with motor vehicles. It states:

However, in some cases, settlers wish to acquire goods in other than their homeland (e.g., while they are en route to Canada), and problems arise at the time of importation when not all of the ownership, possession, and use requirements have been met. As vehicles are frequently
involved, the following criteria have been developed to assist settlers in such cases:

(a) The vehicle must have been owned and possessed by the settler, in accordance with the conditions described above, prior to his or her arrival in Canada;

(b) In addition to having owned and taken possession of the vehicle abroad, the settler must have been legally entitled to operate it in the free environment abroad (e.g., have a valid driver’s licence) and have actually driven it on the open roads abroad for some distance, prior to the date on which the settler arrives in Canada (note that a test drive using dealer licence plates or a drive only on the manufacturer’s or dealer’s premises does not qualify);

(c) The vehicle must have been licensed and insured (temporarily or otherwise), in the name of the settler, for use in the free environment abroad during the period it was used;

(d) Documentary evidence is produced at the time of accounting to substantiate that the above requirements have been met;

(e) All of the remaining requirements of tariff item No. 9807.00.00 are complied with; and

(f) The vehicle is eligible for importation into Canada in accordance with Transport Canada’s laws and requirements.

Please note, the government document that has been quoted is not subject to copyright restrictions.

Hope that helps.
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