Feedback will help inform repairability policy in
Canada
OTTAWA,
ON, June 28, 2024 /CNW/ - Canadians rightfully
expect that their purchases, from phones to washers and dryers,
work well and last for years, and that's why the Government of
Canada is committed to improving
Canadians' ability to repair home appliances and consumer
electronics. Every generation should be able to repair their broken
appliances or devices—and at a fair price—rather than being forced
to purchase a new product when one component fails.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe
Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and
the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and
Climate Change, launched a consultation on a right to repair
for Canadians. This initiative is about giving consumers greater
choice over, and information on, repair options for the products
they buy. When Canadians can more easily repair their washing
machines, cell phones and other products, this can save them
replacing expensive products and can keep waste out of landfills.
This is one of the ways the government is building and supporting a
circular economy.
The consultation will serve to gather feedback from Canadians to
inform the development of a federal right-to-repair or
repairability policy approach, and it is focused on durability,
repairability and interoperability for home appliances and consumer
electronics.
Canadians can provide their input at the following link:
https://ised-isde.survey-sondage.ca/f/s/RTR
Interested parties are welcome to submit feedback online until
September 26, 2024.
Quotes
"Canadian consumers expect their digital devices and home
appliances to last for a long time and to be repairable. This
public consultation will leverage the skills and knowledge
available to guide our efforts to provide Canadians with a right to
repair and, ultimately, contribute to making life more
affordable."
– The Honourable François-Philippe
Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
"We need to reimagine how we produce and consume products
to keep them in the economy and out of landfills for as long as
possible. In a circular economy, devices and appliances should be
easy to repair, and spare parts should be readily accessible. By
throwing out less devices and appliances, we are using our
resources more wisely and efficiently while reducing pollution and
protecting our environment."
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and
Climate Change
Quick facts
- In Budget 2024, the Government of Canada committed to launch consultations on a
right to repair for home appliances and consumer electronics to
support the development of a federal policy approach.
- The Government of Canada is
supporting amendments to the Copyright Act through Bill
C-244 (diagnose, maintenance, and repair) and Bill C-294
(interoperability). These amendments support Canadians' ability to
keep their devices working longer.
- The government has amended the Competition Act through
Bill C-59, which expands the existing "refusal to deal" provision
to include situations where parties harm competition in refusing to
provide a means to diagnose or repair a product. Bill C-59 received
royal assent on June 20, 2024.
- A federal right to repair approach would complement and support
environmental initiatives such as the circular economy, which seeks
to retain and recover as much value as possible from resources,
including by reusing, repairing and remanufacturing products and
materials, while additionally offering opportunities to spur
innovation in product development and support long-term sustainable
industrial policies and development.
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is
collaborating with Environment and Climate Change Canada and
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on this consultation.
Associated links
- Right to Repair Consultation
- Budget 2024
- Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Mandate
Letter
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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada