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Right to repair bill introduced in Canada
Jason Hafso / Unsplash
A bill focused on ‘right to repair’ is back on the table in Canada.
Legislation was introduced in Canada by Brian Masse, an NDP member of Parliament representing Windsor West in Ontario, as a private member’s bill.
If passed, the bill would ensure OEM-approved tools and parts are available to the automotive aftermarket. This would allow consumers the freedom to choose where their vehicles are repaired as all shops would have access to what they need to repair vehicles.
Automotive Industries Association of Canada president J.F. Champagne issued a statement praising the move as one that will establish “much-needed rights for vehicle owners across Canada. Currently, vehicle manufacturers own the data transmitted by vehicles, limiting options for where consumers can have their vehicle repaired. This important legislation will place that control back in the hands of consumers, allowing them to choose the service or repair shop that is best for them.”
The bill’s main three priorities would:
- Amend the Competition Act to authorize the competition tribunal, to make an order requiring vehicle manufacturers, to provide independent repair shops access to diagnostic and repair information and service parts on the same terms and manner as a manufacturer makes that information and parts available to their own authorized repair providers
- Update Canadian Automotive Service Information Standard (CASIS), the voluntary agreement put in place in 2009, to include the rights of digital software that will cover future innovations and technologies as we move to zero-emissions vehicle standards and EVs
- Ensure that consumers have a right to choose where they get their vehicles fixed, and to help the environment by making sure vehicles with emissions are stronger and cleaner
“Given previous support from all parties to establish a right to repair, we are hopeful this Bill will receive broad support and encourage its swift passage,” Champagne added.
Bill C-11 was on the table in the House of Commons last year but was killed with the call of the fall election. The bill was to include legislation around right to repair.
I believe the only way to bring the automotive repair business up to par with the other trades in Ontario is mandatory safety inspections. As long as any able body person can buy safety related parts over the counter, install them, drive on our roads without any consequence’s or liability, our trade will continue to slide towards dealer only service. No young person in there right mine should enter this trade today. Lowest paid, highest knowledge trade. End the sale of parts to consumers and save our trade. Terry Fairfax owner T&T Service Garage Inc.
As a longtime worker in this industry, Dealer labor charge has gone through the roof, but has not change the increase of pay the certified mechanical is receiving.
I was in the mechanic trade since the 60’s and accomplished getting an interprovincial S and T red seal with a provincial award for high marks. Through my working years I had to change shops multiple times because of ownership of dealers leaving with there pockets full. When I hit 60 I was terminated because of age and not skill or fitness but of direction the company was headed. I gave up all my licenses that I earned over the years and would not advise any young person to enter this trade. This is a dead end trade with no future.
I think consumers should have access to service information, in the form of service manuals, as well. Some people have the knowledge, tools and skills to perform some vehicle maintenance themselves. I’m thinking more specifically in terms of motorcycles. I was just informed by Honda Canada that motorcycle service manuals are not available to customers. They used to be. I was able to purchase a service manual for a Kawasaki two years ago, though.
the bill needs to have sections about consumer electronics as well (game consoles, phones, drones, other devices)
Canada is wayy far behind on this
I wish it wasn’t focused on automotive. Should be true for commercial vehicles, agriculture vehicles, factory machinery, etc.
The continuing march towards not owning the stuff you buy and having to pay out the nose to that company for maintenance / repairs at prices and availability windows they set is unacceptable. It’s not consumer friendly, it’s not environmentally responsible and depending on product leads to potential national security issues.
So what is the situation now in Canada regarding the right to repair now?