AIA Canada pushes for vehicle inclusion in Right to Repair bill

The Automotive Industries Association of Canada appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology to advocate for vehicle inclusion in Bill C-267, the National Framework on the Durability of Electronic Products and Essential Home Appliances Act.

The private member’s bill would direct the federal government to develop a national framework on product durability and repairability in collaboration with provinces and territories. As currently written, the legislation does not apply to vehicles.

AIA Canada said it supports the bill’s goals of improving repairability, consumer choice and waste reduction, but is seeking amendments that would extend the framework to modern vehicles and prevent automakers from using technical or contractual barriers to restrict independent repair.

The association said independent repair facilities need fair access to vehicle information, tools and software in order to compete and give consumers a choice of where to have vehicles serviced.

“We support the bill’s goals: durability, repairability, consumer choice and less waste. These goals should apply to the vehicles Canadians rely on every day,” the association said in its submission.

AIA Canada said its broader objective remains the establishment of a fully enforceable automotive Right to Repair framework in Canada.