Parliamentary consultations decisive for the future of Bill 29 relating to obsolescence and the right to repair opened this week in Quebec. The first day was marked by the appearance of several experts representing consumers, particularly from the automotive sector. Most agree that Bill 29 is necessary, but that the Quebec government will have to go further to protect consumers. Particularly with a system of sanctions.
Floor guarantee
One of the key testimonies came from a law lecturer at the University of Sherbrooke, Jonathan Mayer, whose students are at the origin of the law about to be adopted. According to him, the legislation marks a “step in the right direction, but it is clearly insufficient”. Information should be included directly on the packaging and incentives for manufacturers, he insists.
“The guarantee of proper functioning provided for in the bill establishes a minimum lifespan. Except that the durations will be established by the government. We should take inspiration from Europe with its repairability index, by setting a five-year purchase period for household appliances, for repair and maintenance. And a legal duration of two years for electronic devices,” he estimates.
Robust law
Équiterre calls for a “robust” and “accessible” right to repair. » The organization makes numerous recommendations, including the marketing of a universal charger, accessibility to updating software, the establishment of an extended warranty, access to labor in repair and resources so that a consumer can repair their devices themselves.
According to Équiterre, it is imperative that the law also provides for an increase in the “amount of penalties linked to planned obsolescence practices so that they are dissuasive for manufacturers”. Regarding repairability, Équiterre suggests including in the “reasonable price of a repair the cost of parts, and where applicable, the cost of labor”.
Finally, the organization, which wrote the brief with the contribution of several partners, including the David Suzuki foundation and the Quebec Zero Waste Association, is asking the government to set up information, awareness and education campaigns. . “The changes must reach the ears” of people, indicates Équiterre.
The total weight of the resources necessary for the production of a household appliance is 15 to 100 times higher than its final mass.
Equiterre
The famous lemons
The new law also provides for the right to automobile repair. The Legault government wants to put an end to the famous lemons thanks to greater accountability of large manufacturers.
Jean-François Champagne is President and CEO of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA). He first recalled that the automobile maintenance and repair industry in Quebec accounts for $7 billion in revenue annually.
With the skyrocketing rise of “so-called connected” cars, the AIA invites Quebec MPs to quickly adopt the law. According to Mr. Champagne, it is urgent to put an end to the monopoly of manufacturers who “jealously guard” data from various sensors and telemetry systems.
“The independent garages and workshops that we represent often find it impossible to offer appropriate services to drivers of connected vehicles. And with the electrification of transportation in Quebec, it is essential to have access to maintenance and repair services everywhere, even in the regions,” he said.
Repair time
Late Tuesday afternoon, the Minister of Justice, Simon Jolin-Barrette, said he was open to regulating the time a trader will have to repair defective goods. In its brief, the Union des consommateurs requested that the maximum period for repair be set at 25 days. “There is a balance to be achieved also depending on the availability of parts and for the company which must repair it as well,” however indicated Minister Jolin-Barrette.
On Wednesday, experts from the manufacturing and export sectors in Quebec will speak. The hearings will end with observations from the Center for Intersectoral Studies and Research in the Circular Economy.
With The Canadian Press