Windsor West MP Brian Masse has tabled a new right-to-repair bill in the Canadian Parliament to protect consumer choice when having their vehicle repaired. If passed, the legislation will allow consumers to choose their repairer at a fair cost and with the “proper and same tools and parts” manufacturers make available to authorised dealers.
Masse said the bill supports consumers, provides choices, protects the environment by keeping car emissions low, and keeps vehicles and parts out of landfill. It also supports public safety by ensuring vehicles are in the best working condition and can be repaired as soon as possible.
According to Masse, the bill is supported by aftermarket dealers and associations.
“Vehicle components, like computers, have evolved and are quickly becoming more digitalised with manufacturers working harder to protect their repair programmes,” Masse said. “Moving towards electric and away from fossil fuels will impact the way that repairs are made. This bill looks forward, ensuring that Canadians will have continued access and the ability to choose where they can get their vehicle repaired.”
A voluntary agreement is currently in place between manufacturers and independent vehicle repair shops. However, with Canada committed to mandating that all new light-duty vehicles sold be zero emission by 2035 with an interim sales target of at least 50 per cent by 2030, Masse said Canadians could see manufacturers change how they share information with aftermarket repair shops.
“Like we have seen with cell phones and electronics devices, some manufacturers have refused to share their repair ‘tools’ with technicians that are not their own, making it difficult to repair the devices and which ultimately end up in landfills,” Masse said. “That’s what we are trying to avoid. That, and making sure Canadians can go to the repair shop of their choice instead of, in some cases, travelling hundreds of kilometres in rural communities by having to get to the manufacturer’s authorised dealer.”
Masse had a similar bill successfully pass Parliament in 2009, but the voluntary agreement was enacted before the bill passed the Senate.