Ottawa, October 10, 2024 – At the invitation of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy, the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada) appeared yesterday evening to testify in connection with the study of Bill C-244 and Bill C-294. On this occasion, its President and Chief Executive Officer, Jean-François Champagne, CAE, Senior Vice President of Fix Network Canada, Daryll O’Keefe, and Vice President, Strategy and Growth, of UAP Inc., Chris Kinghorn invited members of the Committee to quickly adopt this historic piece of legislation, which will be a momentous step forward for the right to repair in Canada.
The progress of the right to repair in Canada
Both bills propose amendments to the Copyright Act. Bill C-244 focuses on allowing consumers to bypass digital locks to repair and maintain products, ensuring they do not infringe on copyright law while servicing their goods. This means that individuals can legally bypass these restrictions—a significant win for repair advocates. Bill C-294 focuses on ensuring one system and device can operate and repair between different technologies without infringing on copyright laws.
“It is critical that vehicle owners have a choice when it comes to where they get their vehicle repaired and serviced. But this choice could soon disappear if they don’t have access to their vehicle data. By putting legislation in place, we are helping ensure that auto care businesses remain competitive and continue to serve as the primary provider of essential repair, service and parts to Canadians.” said Champagne.
Working towards standalone legislation
While the progress of Bills C-244 and C-294 is encouraging, our ultimate goal is to secure standalone legislation for automotive right to repair. Standalone legislation would affirm that vehicle data belongs to the consumer, granting them full control over where they choose to have their vehicle serviced or repaired.
It is crucial that vehicle owners, not automakers, retain ownership of this data. This will ensure that consumers can continue to make independent choices while helping auto care businesses throughout the country remain competitive and serve as vital providers of essential vehicle services to Canadians.
About the Automotive Industries Association of Canada
We represent, support and lead innovation in Canada’s $37.8 billion auto care sector. With thousands of members from coast to coast, our vision, research, training programs and advocacy supports Canada’s collision and mechanical sectors. Our best practices for the auto care industry help our members keep Canada’s fleet of almost 26.6 million vehicles on the road.
Whether you have been in a collision or require maintenance, our members help vehicles last longer, pollute less and keep drivers safer by offering Canadians any product or service a vehicle may need after it rolls off the dealership’s lot.
For more information, please contact:
AIA Canada Communications
1-800-808-2920, ext. 2285