‘Right to repair’ gathers steam across Canada

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/06/2023 (1057 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Since the Manitoba NDP introduced Manitoba’s first right-to-repair legislation in private member’s bills in May 2021, major progress has been made in Canada. While the right-to-repair issue gathers steam nationally, the current Progressive Conservative government’s inaction ensures Manitobans will fall even further behind on this economic, environmental, and consumer issue.

Right to repair enables consumers to access the parts and manuals necessary to fix their products and appliances, including mobile phones, washing machines, and refrigerators. It also allows consumers and electronic repair businesses to access software and other tools needed for diagnosing, maintaining or repairing electronic products. Right to repair ensures manufacturers replace electronic products at no cost, or refund the amount paid by the consumer to purchase the branded electronic product, where the manufacturers of the branded electronic product refuse or are unable to provide manuals or replacement parts.

Since May 2021, we’ve been urging the PC government to adopt right-to repair legislation and listen to Manitobans who want a more sustainable and affordable future. Unfortunately, the PCs have been silent on this issue.

The federal government recently introduced a plan to implement right to repair for electronic devices and home appliances in 2024. With this program, Canada will join the European Union, Great Britain, and the United States in empowering consumers, supporting competition, and protecting the environment. This will ensure products are better designed to last longer and be more easily reparable, reducing electronic waste. Quebec also recently became the first province to protect consumers from planned obsolescence with right-to-repair legislation, in order to encourage the durability, repairability, and easier maintenance of products.

The PC Government’s inaction on right to repair will have consequences for Manitoba consumers, farmers, our environment, and our local repair industry.

Let’s keep pace with this global consumer protection movement for the benefit of all Manitobans and for our environment.

For more information, please contact me at jim.maloway@yourmanitoba.ca or call my office at 204-415-1122.