Another step forward for Right to Repair in Canada 

As part of the federal government’s mid-year financial update and forecast, Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland spoke to the importance of right to repair for Canadian consumers, including legislative amendments that would be necessary in order to achieve this change. Specifically, the federal government has committed to “amending the Competition Act in order to prevent manufacturers from refusing to provide the means of repair of devices and products in an anti-competitive manner”, in support of Canadians’ right to repair. 

AIA Canada welcomes this positive step forward in the FES, which makes clear the government’s intention to enable the right to repair in Canada in the interest of consumers and fair competition. This commitment follows ongoing advocacy from AIA Canada and the auto care industry, including a successful Parliament Hill Day in October, where we met with numerous decision-makers to advance the call for vehicle right to repair in Canada. 

At a time of immense affordability challenges and a cost-of-living crisis, Canadians should have the right to choose where to bring their vehicles for repair and maintenance. Supporting the automotive aftermarket by giving Canadians access to their vehicle’s data, and allowing them to decide where to have their vehicles serviced is key to improving affordability, competition and access for vehicle owners. 

We look forward to reviewing amendments to the Competition Act once tabled. In the meantime, we encourage members to engage their federal decision-makers on the significance that access to data would have on member businesses, and on helping to address everyday affordability issues facing Canadians.  

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