Canadian MP Brian Masse introduced a new right-to-repair bill on 4 February in Parliament that seeks to protect Canadian automotive car owners’ choice when having their vehicle repaired. According to Masse, the legislation, “…would allow consumers to have their vehicle fixed where they would like, at a fair cost, and with the proper and same tools and parts as available by the manufacturers to authorised dealers.”
The legislation seeks to amend the Competition Act to authorise the Competition Tribunal, if certain criteria are met, to make an order requiring a vehicle manufacturer to provide an independent vehicle repair provider with access to diagnostic and repair information as well as to service parts on the same terms and in the same manner as the manufacturer makes the information and parts available to repair providers who are specifically authorised by the manufacturer to service their vehicles.
Currently, there is a voluntary agreement in place between manufacturers and aftermarket 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% by 2030, Canadians could see manufacturers change how they share this information and what information they are willing to share with aftermarket repair shops.
This legislation supports consumers, provides choices, protects the environment by keeping car emissions low and vehicles and parts out of landfills, and supports public safety by ensuring vehicles on the road are in the best working conditions and can be repaired as soon as possible.
Jean-François Champagne, President of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada said: “I want to commend MP Brian Masse for introducing his Private Members’ Bill which 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.”
This new bill is the latest effort to provide vehicle owners and independent repair facilities access to OEM systems needed to repair vehicles in legislatures around the world. It follows the recent introduction of two pieces of right-to-repair legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives and here in Australia, Parliament passed an automotive right to repair law in 2021.
This article courtesy of Russell Thrall III, publisher CollisionWeek. Check out the website at: www.collisionweek.com.